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UK weather: Temperatures hit -14C on coldest January night since 2019 - as new amber warnings for snow issued

Dalwhinnie in Scotland saw the mercury fall to -14C, as fresh amber weather warnings were issued this morning.

Icicles hang from a bridge at the Killhope slate mine in County Durham, where temperatures dropped as low as -8C. Freezing temperatures and snow will continue for much of Britain this week because of cold Arctic air before "potentially disruptive" stormy weather lands over the weekend. Picture date: Wednesday January 17, 2024.
Image: Icicles hang from a bridge at the Killhope slate mine in County Durham, where temperatures dropped as low as -8C overnight
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Last night's temperatures were the coldest of 2024 so far - with no end in sight for the cold snap until Friday.

Provisional recordings showed that temperatures plummeted to -14C in Dalwhinnie in Scotland on Tuesday night - believed to be the lowest January temperature in Britain since 2019.

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The Met Office has also issued amber warnings for snow between 3pm on Wednesday and 6pm on Thursday in northwest Scotland and the Northern Isles, meaning road delays are likely and some vehicles could be stranded.

The forecaster said some areas could see an extra 15 to 20cm of snow, which may result in power cuts and more remote communities will be at risk of being cut off.

The freezing temperatures are set to continue until Friday - with "potentially disruptive" storms hitting this weekend.

Cold Arctic air moving south has caused the cold snap - making it 5C to 6C lower than usual for this time of year.

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A Met Office spokeswoman said the low temperatures - which have prompted an amber cold alert for England from the UK Health Security Agency - are also due to how long the cold snap has lasted.

"It's due to the prolonged nature of this cold spell, it will have been lasting for quite a few days," the spokeswoman said.

"A build-up of snow, as well, just allows for the temperatures to get colder and colder and we don't often see a cold spell last three to five days.

"The air is coming directly from the Arctic, so it is exceptionally cold air," she added.

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Drone footage shows Greater Manchester coated in snow

"Potentially disruptive" stormy weather is then set to land on Sunday, the Met Office said, which will also bring milder temperatures.

"It's staying cold until Friday, and then looking further ahead into the weekend we've got some deep areas of low pressure pushing in, so a big change in weather type, and we could see some stormy conditions by the end of the week," the spokeswoman said.

"The cold isn't lasting right to the end of the week, but we have a very different type of potentially disruptive weather arriving."

A snow covered cottage surrounded by fields near Carrshields in Northumberland. Freezing temperatures and snow will continue for much of Britain this week because of cold Arctic air before "potentially disruptive" stormy weather lands over the weekend. Picture date: Wednesday January 17, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
Image: A snow covered cottage surrounded by fields near Carrshields in Northumberland

The Met Office's long-range forecast, which can be prone to change, said that "there is the potential for some damaging winds on Sunday into Monday, especially in the north. Rain is likely to be heavy at times across many western hills".

Scotland was among the worst-hit parts of the UK for snow and ice, with Transport Scotland warning motorists to be prepared if they have to undertake journeys.

Stein Connelly, head of transport resilience operations, said: "This cold snap is causing difficult driving conditions in the current warning areas. It's important that anyone that has to travel during the warning period plans their journey in advance and allows extra time. Police Scotland's official travel advice is likely to change at short notice."

Liz and son Henry sledging on the snow in Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire. Much of Britain is facing another day of cold temperatures and travel disruption after overnight lows dropped below freezing for the bulk of the country. A "cold plunge of Arctic air" has moved south across the whole country over the past few days, making it 5C-6C lower than usual for this time of year, the Met Office said. Picture date: Tuesday January 16, 2024.
Image: Liz and son Henry sledging on the snow in Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire yesterday

The freezing weather saw schools closed and transport affected, with thousands of households in England and Wales becoming eligible for cold weather payments.

They are made to vulnerable people, including pensioners, to help them pay for heating when the temperature dips below freezing.

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Get the five-day forecast where you are
Weather in pictures: Snowy scenes across UK

Icicles hang from a bridge at the Killhope slate mine in County Durham, where temperatures dropped as low as -8C. Freezing temperatures and snow will continue for much of Britain this week because of cold Arctic air before "potentially disruptive" stormy weather lands over the weekend. Picture date: Wednesday January 17, 2024.
Image: The Killhope slate mine in County Durham on Thursday

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The payments go to those living in an area where the average temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or below over seven consecutive days.

Payments will be made to homes across Cumbria, Oxfordshire, Yorkshire, Northumberland, Norfolk, Staffordshire and Powys in Wales.