UK weather live: Snow warnings upgraded to amber as up to 40cm forecast

Here is the Met Office’s forecast for this morning:

Amber weather warnings for snow and ice have been issued across most of England and Wales, as temperatures plummeted to -7.4C and a baby boy was killed after a car lost control on the A1.

Up to 40cm of snow is forecast in parts of northern England this weekend, with the Met Office warning of the potential for the icy and windy conditions to bring snow drifts and freezing rain – leading to some treacherous conditions.

Read our latest weather report here:

An amber warning for snow and freezing rain covering most of Wales and central England, including the Midlands and the north-west cities of Liverpool and Manchester, is in place from 6pm on Saturday to midday on Sunday, the Met Office said.

The second warning for snow, covering most of northern England including Leeds, Sheffield and the Lake District, has been issued from 9pm on Saturday to midnight on Sunday.

Both of the warning areas can expect to see 3cm to 7cm of snowfall widely, while snow may mix with rain at times in lower-lying areas, the forecaster said.

Two further yellow warnings for ice are also in force across nearly the whole of the UK.

All Stagecoach bus services were cancelled in Orkney after a bus left the road near the Brig O’ Waithe, according to the BBC, while the Far North railway line remained closed for 80 miles between Inverness and the Kyle of Lochalsh due to floods and landslips.

National Rail is advising people to check their “whole journey” before setting off over the coming days as National Highways “strongly” advised people that travel is “likely to be extended or even disrupted”.The government agency tasked with operating England’s motorways says snowfall over the weekend will, in some places, turn into rain and potentially lead to ice in some areas. Regions of high ground – such as the Cotswolds and the Peak District are at more risk of this, it adds. National Highways says road users should plan ahead and check the Met Office weather updates, and for traffic information from Traffic England before setting off or delay journeys. Also likely are more delays and cancellations to bus, rail and air travel. Northern and ScotRail services are currently affected, while bus replacement services are running between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said on Friday it is “a weekend to layer up and put the heating on” due to the cold conditions.

“We are heading into a cold snap this weekend and I know there are lots of concerns, not just amongst charity leaders, but also among NHS and social care leaders as well, about the particular risks and vulnerabilities this weekend as temperatures drop, both in terms of risk of accident and injury, but also risk from the cold itself,” he told BBC Breakfast.

“This is a weekend to wrap up and keep warm, to take sensible precautions about going out and about.”

Some football games have already been called off this weekend, including Cheltenham’s clash with League Two leaders Walsall which was due to take place on Saturday, Halifax’s National League home game against Fylde which was also set for Saturday, and Friday night’s Scottish Championship game between Airdrie and leaders Falkirk.

Meanwhile, Saturday’s race meeting at Newcastle has been abandoned because the course is frozen.

Large parts of the country will face disruption from heavy snow and freezing rain over the weekend after forecasters issued two amber weather warnings.

Stranded vehicles on the roads, delayed or cancelled rail and air travel and power cuts are all likely as the UK grapples with a week-long spell of wintry conditions, the Met Office said.

There is also a “good chance” that rural communities could be cut off due to the conditions, with up to 30cm of snowfall expected locally.

“There is a risk of freezing rain across parts of the Midlands and northern England, but especially Wales, adding to the risk of ice and leading to some treacherous conditions in places,” Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said.

Temperatures of -10C could be seen in parts of rural Scotland on Friday night, according to new Met Office forecasts.

The coldest temperature recorded in January last year was -14C, in Dalwhinnie in the Highlands.