Yorkshire: Snow and ice warning as temperatures set to plummet

A new yellow “be aware” warning of snow and ice has been put in place for much of the north east of Scotland, as well as coastal areas in North East England and Yorkshire and Humber.

Forecasters say a small area of low pressure will move southwards down the North Sea later today and overnight into Monday, bringing rain, sleet and snow.

Up to five centimetres of snow could fall on inland areas above 200 metres with more expected at higher altitudes, while coastal areas are more likely to experience a mix of rain and sleet.

The forecast has led to bookmaker Coral slashing the odds from 20-1 to 8-1 that the UK’s record low temperature of -27.2C will be broken this year.

Coral’s Nicola McGeady said: “As Britain braces itself for freezing weather, we have witnessed an avalanche of bets on 2015 being the coldest ever.”

Temperatures are expected to fall as low as minus 10C or minus 15C late tonight and early tomorrow morning in parts of inland Scotland.

Some areas have already experienced freezing conditions with the temperature dropping to minus 7.1C in Dalwhinnie in the Scottish Highlands last night.

Met Office operational forecaster Calum MacColl said conditions would be “clear as a bell” in affected areas and urged people to wrap up.

Mr MacColl added: “It only has to get past minus 9C and we’ll have the coldest night for winter.”

That record was set on December 27, in Cromdale, Moray.

Drivers have been warned to take extra care on the roads in icy conditions.

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