UK weather – Britain braced for another day of icy blizzards and snow in wake of Storm Fionn
Forecasters say the bone-chilling blizzard that included gusts of 93mph won't be letting up just yet, with warnings of ice and snow continuing today.
A TRAIL of destruction has been left after Storm Fionn's gale force winds swept across the country yesterday - and the icy weather is expected to continue into today.
Forecasters say the bone-chilling blizzard that included gusts of 93mph won't be letting up just yet, with an amber warning this morning issued for snow and ice.
It comes after trees were downed and thousands of homes were left without power on Wednesday night after the UK was blasted with extreme conditions that sparked a warning of danger to life due to flying debris.
Today is expected to be a crisp and cold start, with snowfall and frost throughout much of the country before showers, thunder and hail hit western parts of the UK.
Travel delays are also expected over the next 24 hours, with a travel warning also in place - advising motorists to be on high alert.
Overnight, Scotland's Tulloch Bridge saw an extra 4 inches of snow on top of the already 8 inches settled on the ground, with more snow showers expected today.
This morning, meteorologist Sophie Yeomans said: "There have been frequent snow showers across northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England, it has been quite variable.
"There is a yellow warning for snow and ice out, with further snow showers throughout the day and it looks like more travel disruptions."
But wind gusts, that were yesterday so strong that they knocked trees down over roads, are today only expected to reach up to 40mph.
The Met Office this morning released an amber warning for snow and ice, covering parts of Scotland, warning: "Snow showers will become heavier and more frequent early on Friday and will continue on and off through the day."
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The Chief Forecaster warned: "Showers will be accompanied by hail and lightning at times, particularly across western Scotland.
"Here, in particular, there is potential for disruption to power supplies from lightning strikes.
"Winds will strengthen at times... bringing the potential for temporary blizzard conditions and drifting on hills and mountains."
Gusts yesterday reached 93mph in Capel Curig in Wales, as well as 83mph in Tibbenham, Norfolk.
Liscombe in Somerset, which is not usually considered a windy site, recorded gusts of 74mph, forecasters said, and further winds in excess of 60mph hit south Lincolnshire and East Anglia.
Nearly 12,000 homes were blacked out in Norfolk and Suffolk, with trains also affected by the extreme weather.
Road, rail and ferry services are expected to be effected by the severe weather, with forecasters adding: "Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible, along with some damage to buildings.
"In addition, large waves are expected to affect some western coasts with beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties."
Poor weather conditions are also affecting railways in the Midlands, with overhead electric wires damaged between Wolverhampton and Stafford.
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A search was launched for two fishermen last night after their boat capsized on Loch Fyne, Scotland. One man was plucked from the ice-cold water by the crew of a passing vessel.
A yellow warning for snow and ice is also in place for Scotland and Ireland, with heavy snow expected.
Police Scotland has already warned motorists to drive with extreme caution, saying: "If you must drive, there is a high likelihood of disruption on the roads and you should expect lengthy delays."
It comes after mountain rescue teams were drafted in earlier this week to help drivers stranded on motorways after extreme weather.
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