UK

New weather warnings issued as 1,500 properties still without power

Around 1,500 homes and businesses are still without power after heavy snow caused major power cuts in Cumbria.

It came as much of the country was hit by cold and wet conditions over the weekend, including a low of -12.5C recorded in northern Scotland overnight.

Freezing conditions are forecast to continue on Monday and the Met Office has issued new yellow weather warnings for snow, ice and rain.

Cumbria was one of the worst affected regions over the weekend, with up to 30cm of snow falling in places.

Officials declared a major incident in the county on Saturday and advised people not to travel unless necessary.

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Cumbria residents seek refuge in church

Dozens of motorists in the Lake District were forced to abandon their cars overnight. Many were forced to seek refuge in local community centres, primary schools and a church.

Electricity North West said its engineers had been “battling treacherous conditions” throughout the weekend and were still working on restoring supplies on Sunday evening.

Another 7,500 homes and businesses have been reconnected after earlier being hit by power cuts.

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Met Office weather warnings for 04/12/2023. Pic: Met Office screenshot
Image:
Weather warnings for Monday. Pic: Met Office.

The weather also caused disruption to travel, including at East Midlands Airport, which was forced to temporarily close its runway on Sunday.

It came after some flights were cancelled at Glasgow Airport and London Stansted Airport on Saturday.

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The Met Office’s new weather warnings include alerts for ice across much of northern England and parts of the Midlands, as well as snow for higher areas of Wales and the Peak District.

The weather agency said there was a risk that snow will lead to major travel disruption and there could be “accumulations of 2cm to 5cm on some roads above around 150m, and perhaps 10cm to 15cm on roads above around 350m”.

The warning runs from Sunday evening until 12pm on Monday.

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Weather causing chaos in Cumbria

The Met Office also issued a yellow weather warning for rain across parts of southern Wales and southwest England, with the alert due to come into force from midnight and run until 6pm on Monday.

Forecasters said there was a risk of flooding to some homes and businesses, as well as potential disruption to train and bus services.

Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said the weather would become milder later in the week.

He added: “So there is an end in sight to the wintry weather.”

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Weather warnings issued for heavy rain and gusts of up to 80mph across UK