UK Faces Coldest Night with Snow, Blizzards, and Floods
The UK is bracing for the coldest night of winter on Thursday, with temperatures expected to plunge to -20C (-4F). Snow, blizzards, ice, and floods are causing widespread disruption.
Freezing floodwater in the Midlands has prompted a danger to life warning, with more icy weather expected. Images show contrasting scenes, with cars frozen in the Peak District and homes flooded in Leicestershire.
Hundreds of schools and transport links are closed, with yellow weather warnings in place for ice and snow. The last time the UK saw such low temperatures was in February 2021.
The cold snap is expected to continue until the end of the week, with widespread hard frosts and minimum temperatures between -3C and -10C. The Environment Agency estimates that at least 300 properties have flooded since New Year's Eve.
The Fire Brigades Union is calling for the Government to take action to prepare fire and rescue services for flood response. They argue that England needs a statutory duty and investment to be made resilient to flooding.
8 Comments
Marishka
Praying for everyone's safety during these difficult times. Stay strong and support one another, we'll get through this together.
Pupsik
Great job by emergency services and volunteers helping those affected by the floods and cold weather. You guys are heroes!
Marishka
Let's use this opportunity to check in with vulnerable neighbors, especially the elderly and those living alone, to ensure their safety.
Pupsik
Freezing temperatures and icy roads - stay safe everyone! But seriously, shouldn't we have better infrastructure to deal with such weather?
Marishka
Sharing heartwarming stories of communities coming together to help each other during the floods and extreme cold. It's inspiring to see such unity and kindness.
Raphael
Stay warm and be cautious everyone! This cold snap is serious, and the last thing we need now is more accidents or injuries.
Donatello
The government needs to invest in flood protection and winter preparedness. This can't keep happening year after year.
Michelangelo
Impressed by the resilience of people in the UK. Despite the challenges, everyone is coming together to support one another.