Weather warnings as freezing temperatures hit United Kingdom

A three-day weather warning was issued in the UK on Thursday as swathes of the country face ice and snow in a cold snap in the first week of the New Year. 

Yellow weather warnings were put in place for northeast Scotland, northwest England and Northern Ireland with people in those areas told to expect icy conditions and delays in their journeys. 

Most of England, southern Scotland and all of Wales were told by the Met Office to prepare for snow from Saturday until Monday morning.  

Areas in northern England could see between 5cm and 30cm of snow, local media report, and travel delays and power cuts are likely in affected regions. 

The warning comes after parts of the United Kingdom were flooded on Wednesday as heavy rains and powerful winds continued to disrupt New Year’s celebrations. 

Several communities in the Manchester area were flooded, with several homes evacuated and cars submerged up to their roofs on roads and in parking lots after nearly a month’s worth of rain fell in two days. 

A major incident was declared and mountain rescue teams were called in to help firefighters respond to swamped properties and stranded vehicles, Greater Manchester Police said. 

In Stockport, rivers were flooded and local flood wardens warned that extra measures may have to be taken. 

Warnings that indicate flooding is expected were issued at one point to more than 150 communities across the U.K., with most being in northern England.