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UK weather: 'Danger to life' warning as forecasters predict rare freezing rain and snow

The UK must endure one more day of bitterly cold weather before temperatures soar to as high as 14C on Monday.

A robin perches on a snow covered branch near Loch Faskally, Pitlochry, Scotland, Britain December 17, 2022. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Image: Near Loch Faskally, Pitlochry, Scotland
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Severe weather warnings have been issued for large parts of the UK as forecasters said freezing rain and snow could pose a danger to life.

An amber warning for ice issued for the north of England from 9am until 8pm has the Met Office saying that freezing rain and snow could lead to 2-3mm of ice on untreated surfaces.

The weather could bring dangerous driving conditions, public transport problems, and the possibility of power cuts.

Freezing rain is when the rain hits a cold surface and freezes almost instantly, producing striking effects as the raindrop spreads out momentarily before it freezes, encasing the surface in a layer of clear ice.

It is rare in the UK.

Yellow weather warnings for fog, ice, snow and rain are in place for various other parts of the UK on Sunday, before an expected change on Monday.

Daytime maximum temperatures on Monday will range from 11C to 14C - a big contrast to the icy temperatures seen over the past week.

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Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: "At the moment daytime temperatures are low single figures, and in places are staying below freezing under snow cover, so some areas are just a little bit below zero.

"But daytime temperatures by Monday, we're looking at across the UK highs of 11C to 14C, so around about 15 degrees certainly higher than they've been."

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A lady walks past a frozen Bridgewater canal in Lymm, Cheshire. Snow and ice have swept across parts of the UK, with cold wintry conditions set to continue for days
Image: A frozen Bridgewater canal in Lymm, Cheshire
Icicle formations a frozen waterfall in the Brecon Beacons National Park
Image: The frozen waterfall in Brecon Beacons National Park

Aberdeen could reach a high of 12C or 13C on Monday, while London could reach 14C as cold wind from the north is overtaken by winds coming from the west or southwest.

Mr Petagna said it is not unheard of to get these temperatures at this time of year, but going from very cold to very mild in a day or two is quite unusual.

Peter Jenkins, director of campaigns at Water UK, warned that the rise in temperature could cause burst pipes.

Cold water swimmers on the beach at Cullercoats Bay
Image: Cold water swimmers on the beach at Cullercoats Bay in North East England

He said: "The last thing we want is for people to experience further disruption as temperatures rise this weekend, putting many homes at risk of burst pipes due to freeze-thaw.

"That's why we're urging everyone to check their water pipes are well insulated now and to follow our simple tips to protect homes against weather conditions."

The warning came as homes in the London borough of Camden, north London, were evacuated after a burst water main flooded a street.

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Homes flooded by burst pipe in north London

London Fire Brigade said around 60 firefighters were called to Belsize Road, near Swiss Cottage, at 2.50am on Saturday morning after a 42-inch water main burst.

The brigade said many homes were flooded and firefighters had to lead around 20 residents to safety.