London Hit By Snowfall And Bitter Cold Temperatures

Snow fell on London on Friday morning, creating a picturesque winter scene but causing disruptions for commuters as they faced a bitterly cold start to the day.

Temperatures felt around -4C, and the first white flakes of the season were seen falling in parts of the capital, including West Hampstead and Ealing, around 10 am.

A yellow warning for snow and ice was in effect, stretching from Scotland to East Anglia. Some areas in the UK could expect up to 5cm of snow on Friday, with temperatures dropping as low as minus 10C in certain regions.

The eastern coast of the UK, from Scotland to East Anglia, remained under a yellow weather warning for snow and ice, while ice warnings were in place for Northern Ireland and southwest England.

Forecasters predicted temperatures as low as -2C in London on Thursday night, and a freezing cold wind made it feel like -4C until 9 am on Friday.

According to BBC Weather, parts of south London could experience “sleet showers” over the weekend, while Accuweather predicts a 31% chance of snow in certain areas of the capital.

Thursday saw snowfall across the South West, parts of Yorkshire, the North East, and Scotland. Hazardous conditions led to the closure or delayed opening of more than 30 schools in Cornwall, and in County Durham, snowy conditions resulted in some road crashes.

The UK Health Security Agency has upgraded several alerts from yellow to amber, with the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and the Humber now under higher alerts. Yellow cold-health alerts are also in place for the East Midlands and West Midlands. All these warnings are in effect until December 5.

In response to the freezing temperatures, Mayor Sadiq Khan activated emergency cold weather protocols on Wednesday. Emergency accommodation was opened across the capital to provide shelter for those sleeping rough. Charities and local councils are working tirelessly to assist those in need during this challenging period.

The RAC, a leading motoring organization, has urged drivers to ensure they are winter ready as they navigate the snow and ice. It is important to take necessary precautions to ensure safety on the roads.

The Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, David Oliver, warned of an uncertain weather period for the southern half of England and Wales on Thursday and Friday. While weather models suggest various scenarios, the most probable outcome at present is a mainly dry picture.

As London experiences its first significant snowfall of the season, it is crucial for residents to stay informed about weather updates and take necessary measures to stay safe and warm during this wintry spell.