Around 100 schools shut in Scotland as UK faces temperatures as low as -6C

The weather conditions have caused dangerous weather conditions for drivers, as ITV News Midlands Correspondent Ben Chapman reports

Snow and ice have closed hundreds of schools and plunged most of the UK into the coldest night of the season so far.

Blizzard conditions are set to continue across the UK on Thursday, with amber and yellow weather warnings in place and temperatures expected to drop as low as -6C.

About 100 schools were closed in northern Scotland on Thursday, while in Wales, 36 were closed in Pembrokeshire, 14 in Carmarthenshire and seven in Ceredigion.

In North Yorkshire, 33 schools are closed, while eight are listed as fully closed in East Yorkshire.

A weather station in Altnaharra in the Scottish Highlands recorded 9cm of snow on Thursday, according to the Met Office.

Lake Vyrnwy in Powys, Wales recorded 4cm, Boulmer in Northumberland 3cm and Bodmin in Cornwall had 2cm.

Elsewhere, Northern Ireland, Wales and England all recorded the lowest overnight temperatures of the season, with a low of -6.6C recorded in Benson, South Oxfordshire.

Sleet and snow hit UK coastal areas on Thursday, with the worst-affected regions facing travel disruption and possible power cuts, the Met Office said.

In North Yorkshire, drivers have been warned to only make journeys that are necessary after heavy snow overnight hit roads and disrupted bin collections.In Sunderland, a car overturned on the A19 on Thursday in snowy conditions, while in Pembrokeshire, the county council warned there were “extremely hazardous conditions on most roads” in the area as snowfall continued.Several Pembrokeshire roads are closed. A total of 631 properties are without power, the county council added.

An overturned car on the A19 near Sunderland. Credit: PA

Up to 25cm of snow could fall on higher ground in the North York Moors on Thursday, where an amber warning is in place until 9pm.

Five yellow warnings for snow and ice are also in force, covering north-east England, Cornwall, Devon and western Wales until 11.59pm.

Cold Arctic air continues to grip the country, with temperatures dropping to -6C overnight at Spadeadam in Cumbria.

Even colder conditions are expected on Friday, with lows of -12C possible in parts of Scotland where snow is already lying, the Met Office warned.

Snow covered fields off the A169 between Pickering and Whitby on the North York Moors. Credit: PA

The Met Office said that in the yellow weather warning areas, there may be possible travel delays on roads, delays and cancellations on public transport services, and the risk of injury because of slippery terrain was higher than usual.

Power cuts were also possible, and mobile phone signal may be affected, while rural communities may also be cut off.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: “Thursday will be a sunny day for most, but there will be further sleet and snow showers for coastal stretches which will filter a little inland too. Heavy across north-east England in particular.

“The highest snowfall totals from Wednesday night through Thursday will likely be across the Sperrins, North Yorkshire Moors, Northwest Highlands, Grampians and upland Pembrokeshire.”

Snowy conditions in Cullercoats on North Tyneside. Credit: PA

The Met Office warned that rural communities in the amber alert area could become cut off as gusty winds create “occasional blizzard conditions”, with lightning posing an additional hazard.

The weather service also said 'thundersnow' – where thunderstorms form in wintry conditions and cause heavy downpours of snow – was seen in Aberdeenshire and off the coast in the north-east on Wednesday.

Motorists in the North East faced difficult conditions on Wednesday night, and North Yorkshire Police urged drivers to avoid the A171 near Whitby after several vehicles became stuck in the snow.

Shaun Jones, AA Expert Patrol, said: “When snow and ice hit, the roads can quickly become treacherous. Stopping distances can increase tenfold on icy surfaces, so slowing down and leaving plenty of space is absolutely vital.

“Drivers should plan ahead, stick to main routes and allow extra time for their journey.”

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National Rail urged rail commuters to check their journeys before travelling during the snowy and icy weather.

It said speed restrictions may be in place for trains to run safely, which could lead to cancellations, alterations and delays to services.

Temperatures will begin to rise closer to averages for this time of year at the weekend when wetter and windier weather arrives, but it will not be as “exceptionally mild” as it was earlier in November, the forecaster said.

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