SNOW SCHOOL
What schools are closed on Friday? Latest school closures due to bad UK weather and how to find out if your child’s is open
GALES are sweeping in across the country with gusts of 60 and 70mph.
Even though the temp is due to creep up in the coming days, the wind will make it seem colder - here's how to find out if schools near you will be closed.
3
What is the latest UK weather forecast?
Britain will be engulfed today with heavy rain and and 70mph gales.
An area of low pressure from the Atlantic is sweeping brisk winds across the country from the west, bringing a week of nasty weather.
Forecasters warned of likely disruption to road and rail networks in affected areas on Friday due to the potential for downed trees and falling debris.
A Met Office forecaster said: "There is a ridge of high pressure in the south east that is keeping conditions in central regions of the country much calmer.
3
"But the zone of low pressure pushing in from the west is bringing the strong winds.
"Friday the storm will be at its peak as wind speeds reach 70mph in the most exposed parts of the west.
"And the weekend will get off to a dreary start."
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind until 11.59pm on Friday for Northern Ireland, Western Scotland, the West Country and south coast of England.
A yellow rain warning is in place in northern parts of Scotland until 3pm on Saturday, February 9.
Have schools been closed due to snow in the UK?
Most school are back open after excited children enjoyed snow days at the end of last week.
Hundreds of schools across the country announced closures due to snow on Friday - from London and the Isle of Wight to Cornwall and the Highlands of Scotland.
To find out the status of your child's school, you can use
When was the last time UK schools were closed because of snow?
Scores of schools were closed on January 31 and February 1, 2019, as a snowbomb hit the UK.
Dozens of schools were closed after the Beast from the East hit the UK in March 2018.
In December, 2017, Britain's worst snowstorm in four years led to nearly 3,000 schools shutting out of concern for staff and children's welfare.
Storm Caroline left an Arctic air flow in its wake, with temperatures plunging across the UK and up to four inches of snow heavily obstructing roads.
Schools which shut included more than 500 in the east of England and more than 200 each in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.
Birmingham was the worst hit city with around 400 schools closing.
3
What should you do if your kids can’t go to school?
Your options will be limited if you suddenly find yourself lumbered with having to take care of your kids for the day.
Try and contact your work as early as possible to explain the situation.
A reasonable boss shouldn’t penalise you but they might ask you to work from home if you possibly can.
If not, they might be able to make you take unpaid leave, holiday days or work flexible hours to make up time.
LATEST ON THE WEATHER
It's worth checking your contract or staff handbook to see if it includes anything about extreme weather or childcare emergencies.
You are entitled to take reasonable amounts of time off work if your childcare arrangements are unexpectedly disrupted – but this could take the form of unpaid leave.
Here's how cold it needs to be before your kids can be sent home from school.
Topics