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Urgent warning to drivers after ‘big refreeze’ causes havoc on roads across UK following -17.2C icy plunge
DRIVERS have been urged to stay at home today after a -17.2C icy plunge causes havoc on the roads.
Arctic conditions continue to batter the nation and cause chaos for commuters with roads closed, trains cancelled and flights axed.
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Brits were forced to bunker down on the coldest night of the year as a deep freeze swept in, with some schools forced to shut their doors yesterday.
Senior Operational Meteorologist Marco Petagna of the Met Office tweeted that it was -17.2C in Braemar in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, at 4am this morning.
The Met Office confirmed that Braemar officially recorded the UK's chilliest night of the year so far.
And today won't be much better, with yellow weather warnings for snow, ice and fog covering vast swathes of the UK.
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It means the UK is now expected to be coated in lethal black ice caused by the “big refreeze”.
When snow melts and refreezes, black ice can appear on roads and pavements.
Because it cannot be seen motorists are left with a “false sense of security”, according to the president of the AA.
Ambulance services urged drivers to “take extra care”, with crashes expected in icy conditions.
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Motorists have been told to only drive if absolutely necessary amid fears icy roads will cause accidents and long tailbacks.
And with to nation-wide strikes, travelling by train is not a viable alternative amid the severe weather.
The UK will stay cold through this week with the risk of sleet and snow at times continuing, especially in northern and eastern coastal areas.
Met Office forecasters issued several yellow weather warnings for snow, ice and fog across Britain from Monday through to Thursday.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Matthew Lehnert, said: “The cold conditions will remain in situ during this week.
"In many places daytime temperatures will struggle to get above freezing, while overnight temperatures have the potential to drop below -10 C in rural parts of Scotland.
"Warnings for snow and ice will continue to be a feature of the forecast until the end of the week."
Today could bring the worst of the poor weather as a band of snow and ice is set to push down through Scotland sparking a yellow weather warning.
The snow and sleet will continue across the North and East with the rest of the country experiencing frost and freezing fog.
A Level 3 Cold Weather Alert covering all of England has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) until Friday 16th December.
Last night homeowners were promised £4 per kilowatt hour to switch off their appliances as part of the "demand flexibility service".
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Energy firms paid customers to cut energy usage during the surge slot of 5pm to 7pm, branded "Peak Save".
The Electricity Systems Operator ran its fifth trial of the scheme yesterday, an event that was previously scheduled and Brits will be unable to take part in if if they have not already signed up.
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