Blizzards caused road chaos in parts of the UK after The Met Office issued an amber weather warning for snow and ice on Thursday.
As temperatures plummet, forecasters also warned the North York Moors and the Highlands of Scotland – could experience “thundersnow.” Temperatures could also drop to a staggering minus 12. This is a phenomenon where thunderstorms form in wintry weather and give rise to heavy falls of snow rather than rain. It happens in seven of every 100,000 thunderstorms.
Heavy snow descended on parts of the North and East Yorkshire on Thursday, leaving schools and tourist attractions closed. Some roads in the North York Moors were left “impassable” after 25cm of snow fell.
Drivers were warned that gritting does not guarantee roads will be free of ice or snow after North Yorkshire Council sent their gritting crews out overnight. They asked residents to consider “whether any journey is necessary”. “Gritting does not guarantee an ice- or snow-free surface,” a post on X said.
Families headed out to sledge as dozens of schools were closed in North Yorkshire, Devon and Cornwall.
The Met Office said: “Snow and ice warnings remain in force before the weather pattern shifts this weekend. The UK continues to experience wintry hazards today and into early Friday, as a cold northerly airstream brings snow showers and icy patches to parts of the country. Snow and ice warnings remain in place, with new ice warnings issued for some areas overnight into Friday morning.” Chief Forecaster Steve Willington said: “We’re still in the grip of a cold, Arctic air mass today and into Friday, and that means further wintry showers for some, and ice, particularly overnight. Multiple warnings are currently in place.” He warned temperatures could drop to minus 12.
