Weather UK live: Snow and ice warnings across country as cold snap could see temperatures hit -20C

A yellow fog warning has been issued for Northern Ireland until 9am this morning.

A further yellow warning for snow and ice affecting Cornwall, much of Wales and parts of north-west England has been issued until 11am.

And a yellow ice warning has been issued for parts of southern England and south-east Wales until 10.30am.

As icy conditions persist, motorists are being urged to stick to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted.

Dozens of homeowners in Leicestershire have been trapped after flooding caused damage to their properties which have still not been fixed after they were destroyed by water a year ago.

Homeowners on Belton Road in Loughborough remained stranded on the first floor of their semi-detached houses on Tuesday after rising water from the nearby Grand Union canal flooded the street.

Families on the road complained they were hit with similar flooding from Storm Henk on January 3 last year which ruined their properties and left them trapped inside.

Read the full report after severe flooding struck Leicestershire

Travel disruption to road and rail services are likely this morning in the warning areas, as well as the potential for accidents in icy places, the forecaster said.

A yellow warning for snow and ice is in place for northern Scotland until midnight on Thursday and another snow and ice warning is in force for Northern Ireland until 11am in the morning as sleet and snow showers are set to continue.

Ploughs have been fitted to gritters in Devon and Cornwall which will work into Thursday morning to clear routes in the area, police and highways officials said.

It comes as significant travel disruption was caused by the snow yesterday with some roads closed and motorists stationary for “long periods of time”, a joint statement from Devon and Cornwall Police and Devon County Council Highways said.

Snow ploughs became stuck in queues of traffic caused by “minor incidents”, the statement added.

Fresh weather warnings have been issued as temperatures are set to plummet. Forecasters predict the coldest nights of the year will come over the next two days as temperatures could reach as low as -20C in areas that have seen heavy snowfall, according to the BBC. The Met Office predicted lows of -16C.

Snow, ice and fog yellow weather warnings have been issued for areas across the UK today, which come after snow and sleet caused disruption on Wednesday.

Significant travel disruption was caused by the snow in Devon and Cornwall on Wednesday, with some roads closed and motorists stationary for “long periods of time”, a joint statement from Devon and Cornwall Police and Devon County Council Highways said.

A man, who did not wish to be named, found his home flooded on Tuesday in Belton Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, from rising water in the nearby Grand Union Canal.

He said he has been living in alternative accommodation for a year since Storm Henk damaged his property last January and was just about to move back in before the flooding started again on Monday.

The homeowner told the PA News Agency, as he stood on the road near his house: “They had almost got everything ready to move back in – all new downstairs. Now, all the new stuff, the new items, have got to be repaired and replaced again.

“They will potentially tell us it’s all got to be scrapped.

“Last year everything downstairs – the carpets, flooring, furniture – all were damaged.

“In the space of a year, it’s just unbelievable that it’s happened again.

“I can’t comprehend this all, you never think it’s going to happen in this area.

“It’s the Grand Union canal – it seems like there’s a weak point that just sort of overflows and just all comes cascading down this way.”

Rod Dennis, RAC spokesperson, said: “Monday was our busiest day for breakdowns this winter so far, with our teams taking more calls from members than at any other point in the last 12 months. With cold conditions persisting, we expect today to be almost as busy with our patrols working incredibly hard to rescue our members and get people moving.

“Anyone unfortunate enough to break down should expect a longer wait than normal this week. It’s therefore more important than ever that drivers ensure they have an emergency breakdown kit in the boot – extra warm clothes including waterproofs, sturdy shoes, some food and drink and a fully charged power bank to keep a mobile phone charged up.

“With hundreds of flood warnings still in force, especially across central and southern parts of the UK, drivers need to remain vigilant. They should never drive through standing water unless they can be totally sure all of it is shallow, which can be impossible on roads that aren’t perfectly flat.

“If in any doubt about the water’s depth, turn around and find another safer route. We also urge everyone to obey road closures which are in place to keep them away from floodwater.”

The number of people admitted to hospital with flu in Northern Ireland this winter is 3.6 times higher than the previous year, Stormont’s Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has said.

Mr Nesbitt told the Health Committee that patients facing long waits in hospital emergency departments were often having to “surrender their dignity and privacy” and said staff were facing “moral injury”.

The minister announced that the flu vaccination programme would be extended to all those over the age of 50.

Officials from the Department of Health said it has been the worst year for flu cases since before the pandemic, but added they believed the number of hospital admissions had peaked.

Mr Nesbitt attended the emergency meeting of his oversight committee amid ongoing concerns about winter pressures on health services in Northern Ireland, particularly the amount of time people are having to wait at emergency departments in hospitals.

Mr Nesbitt began his evidence by paying tribute to health and social care staff who had worked over Christmas.

The minister said he was “looking for levers short term” to deal with hospital pressures, as well as offering a “blank page” for next winter.

People who need to walk or cycle in areas at risk of snow and ice are advised by the Met Office to take extra care and leave early if possible.

The forecaster issues the following advice for those leaving their homes:

• Plan to leave the house five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush reduces your risk of accidents, slips and falls.
• If making a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.
• Take extra care when walking on untreated pavements and prepare for journeys by wearing footwear with a good grip.
• Where possible do not cycle on untreated roads as accidents are more likely.