THE Met Office has issued an urgent weather warning amid fears SIX HOURS of snow could cause traffic chaos.
A band of rain is forecast to move eastwards across the country today, bringing with it wintry showers.
Between this afternoon and Friday there could be up to six hours of snowfall as Britain is ravaged by snow blizzards, gale force winds and widespread ice, with temperatures plummeting to as low as -3C.
Meteorologist Richard Miles said: "It’s going to be colder than we have been used to over the last couple of days and Christmas. We are going into a period when temperatures will be dropping quite a bit."
Read our weather live blog for the latest news and forecasts
John Hall 52 minutes ago
When is it too cold to go to work?
Snow and ice have reappeared across Britain after a record mild spell to start the new year.
And though everyone loves a snow day, there's unfortunately no guarantee of a day off school or work just because it's snowing.
There is also no specific law around minimum or maximum working temperatures, although there are guidelines.
If it is safe and reasonable to travel to work, then you should do so.
But if it isn't safe, contact your employer and check the company handbook.
Keep in mind that government guidance in all four UK nations currently advises you should work from home if it's practical, too.
John Hall Today, 03:00
UK forecast for Friday
Blustery wintry showers, with a risk of hail and thunder.
Showers heavy and most frequent in the north and west with some snow.
Eastern areas, mainly dry with sunny spells.
John Hall Today, 02:00
Odds SLASHED on January being coldest EVER
This month looks set to go down as the coldest on record, according to Ladbrokes.
Having been a 5/2 shot at the back end of last year, the bookies now make it just 2/1 for January to break records as the coldest EVER.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “There’s an increasing chance we’ll be wrapping up and strapping in for a record-breaking cold January, as far as the latest odds are concerned.”
John Hall Today, 01:00
What to do if you find yourself aquaplaning
Aquaplaning – skidding on water – occurs when a wedge of water forms in front of the tyre and lifts it up off the road surface.
If you feel your car losing grip with the road, gently ease off the accelerator but don’t brake.
Have a firm grip of the steering wheel and be sure not to make any sudden steering actions.
The car will eventually regain its grip as water clears from the road.
Louis Allwood Today, 00:00
When is it too cold to go to work?
Snow and ice have reappeared across Britain after a record mild spell to start the new year.
And though everyone loves a snow day, there's unfortunately no guarantee of a day off school or work just because it's snowing.
There is also no specific law around minimum or maximum working temperatures, although there are guidelines.
If it is safe and reasonable to travel to work, then you should do so.
But if it isn't safe, contact your employer and check the company handbook.
Keep in mind that government guidance in all four UK nations currently advises you should work from home if it's practical, too.
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 23:30
UK forecast for tomorrow
Blustery wintry showers, with a risk of hail and thunder.
Showers heavy and most frequent in the north and west with some snow.
Eastern areas, mainly dry with sunny spells.
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 23:00
Odds SLASHED on January being coldest EVER
This month looks set to go down as the coldest on record, according to Ladbrokes.
Having been a 5/2 shot at the back end of last year, the bookies now make it just 2/1 for January to break records as the coldest EVER.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “There’s an increasing chance we’ll be wrapping up and strapping in for a record-breaking cold January, as far as the latest odds are concerned.”
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 22:30
What to do if you find yourself aquaplaning
Aquaplaning – skidding on water – occurs when a wedge of water forms in front of the tyre and lifts it up off the road surface.
If you feel your car losing grip with the road, gently ease off the accelerator but don’t brake.
Have a firm grip of the steering wheel and be sure not to make any sudden steering actions.
The car will eventually regain its grip as water clears from the road.
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 22:00
Make your car visible in poor winter weather
You can be fined up to ￡1,000 for failing to switch your car lights on when you’re driving.
Make sure they’re all working before you set out on your journey, and turn them on if you have to get out to clear snow.
If you use fog lights, remember to switch them off when visibility improves so they don’t dazzle other drivers or obscure your brake lights.
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 21:30
How to stay warm when outside
With the weather getting chillier and frostier, you’ll want to wrap up warm.
Here are some good tips for staying all snugly and cosy when outdoors:
Prewarm your clothes. Invest in some quality thermals. Fleece leggings. Hand warmers. Cover every inch of skin. Eat fatty foods. Thermal flask. Keep moving. Keep hydrated. Keep your head covered. Tactical scarf-wearing – including keeping your nose and mouth covered
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 21:00
Snow showers likely on Friday
Met Office meteorologist Claire Nasir said: "Across much of the country through Wednesday we're bathed in cold air.
"As we head through Wednesday evening, with clearer skies and a lighter breeze, we will see temperatures fall very quickly so expect a widespread frost.
"Temperatures will be plummeting to around -4C in England and Wales and -10C on snowfields across Scotland.
"Eventually a ridge of high pressure will extend across so we'll see a fairly hard frost into Thursday morning before milder air moves in from the Atlantic with a band of cloud and rain.
"As the rain encounters the colder air, it will turn to snow. Colder behind as well so snow showers are likely through Friday too."
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 20:30
‘Snowbomb’ to blast Britain
A ‘SNOWBOMB’ will hit Britain in January – with a whopping 11ins set to fall as a new Atlantic storm moves in.
Winter will bite back in the weeks to come after what’s likely to be the warmest New Year’s Eve on record today.
As we near the middle of January, it’ll snow heavily again – with more than 10ins predicted in the north.
Newcastle and Northumberland are likely to face white-out by midnight on January 12, WX Charts predicts.
Parts of Scotland – particularly in the Highlands – will also face up to five inches as the mercury plunges below zero.
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 20:00
Brits to see a new weather front from the Atlantic
Forecaster Greg Dewhurst said: "It's quite a contrast compared to the record breaking New Year's we've just seen.
"We've seen a big drop off in temperatures and it's going to stay like that for most of the week.
"It's well below the January average of 6C.
"We're going to see wintry showers, mainly down the western edge of the country but we could also see some in the east.
"On Thursday a new weather front from the Atlantic will move eastwards bringing with it rain and hill snow.
"It'll affect the north and west, parts of the Lake District and Wales, but we could also see some flurries further south."
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 19:30
Make your car visible in poor winter weather
You can be fined up to ￡1,000 for failing to switch your car lights on when you’re driving.
Make sure they’re all working before you set out on your journey, and turn them on if you have to get out to clear snow.
If you use fog lights, remember to switch them off when visibility improves so they don’t dazzle other drivers or obscure your brake lights.
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 19:00
UK weather outlook for Friday and Saturday
Sunny spells on Friday, staying dry to the east.
Risk of showers for Wales, western England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, turning wintry, especially to the north. A moderate westerly breeze.
Unsettled for all on Saturday with rain for much of the day. Sunshine and showers in the late afternoon.
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 18:30
A two-day forecast
Make sure you're weather aware before you step outside, as it's going to get chillier and chillier.
TODAY (THURSDAY): High: 10C Overnight low: -2C Rain and hill snow moving east, followed by wintry showers
FRIDAY: High: 8C Overnight low: -4C Sunny spells, wintry showers
ends
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 18:00
End of January outlook
Through the rest of January, a continuation of the rather changeable regime is expected with spells of wet and windy weather interspersed by drier, brighter periods.
Temperatures are likely to remain close to or slightly above average due to a mixture of mild spells and shorter-lived colder periods.
These shorter-lived colder periods may still allow for some snow, but this will typically fall over hills in the north.
Towards the end of this period, there is a tentative sign of more settled spells developing, particularly across the south which would increase the chance of overnight frost and fog here.
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 17:30
Three tips to know before driving in snow and ice
Driving expert Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, has some useful advice.
He said drivers must take it slow and leave plenty of space for the car ahead in case they skid off the road.
And with motorways expected to be busier than ever as Brits rush to celebrate a family Christmas for the first time in two years, staying out of danger is extremely important.
Here are Jack’s top tips:
Make space, it’s not a race Slow and steady Beware of ‘black ice’
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 17:00
Mercury could fall to as low as -10C
Temperatures are set to plunge within the next couple of weeks - potentially causing travel chaos.
The mercury could fall to as low as -10C.
Coral, the bookies, now has January at 6-4 to be the coldest on record.
The firm go 2-1 for this winter to be the chilliest ever in the UK.
Coral's John Hill said: "We've enjoyed some unseasonable mild temperatures over the last few days but that is set to come to a crashing end later this week.
"With snow and freezing temperatures on their way, we have slashed the odds in half on this month ending as a record cold January."
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 16:30
This month will see drop in temperatures, says Met Office expert
Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said the average temperature in December and the beginning of January is usually around 7C or 8C, with the warmer weather due to a south-westerly wind making its way across the country.
The higher temperatures are usually localised, but “plenty of places” have seen highs of 15C over December.
However, he added that January could see a drop in temperatures because of an Arctic chill sweeping through from next week.
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 16:00
This week will be feeling colder for all
Met Office forecasters warned: “Cold northerly air dives south across the whole of the UK with brisk winds.
“It’s feeling colder for all, especially in the wind.”
In the capital, temperatures will plummet by 10C, from 16C at the weekend to just 6C today.
Meteorologist Simon Partridge said we’re facing a “shock to the system” as the chilly winds make it feel as cold as -2C.
“It will definitely be colder, so if you’re going out, think about an extra layer,” he said.
“You might need anything to keep the wind out because it’s not going to be pretty.”
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 15:30
What is a Thundersnow?
It is essentially a thunderstorm in cold weather.
If it's cold enough then instead of rain, the thunderstorms produce snow.
This, along with the usual thunder and lightning is called a thundersnow.
It is often very atmospheric.
Th snow dampens the sound of the thunder and reflects the lightning making it even brighter.
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 14:49
Warnings for those in western Scotland and Northern Ireland
There are warnings of possible thundersnow in western Scotland and Northern Ireland this evening.
With ？？ warnings in place, parts of western Scotland and Northern Ireland may see #thundersnow tonight
But what causes thundersnow? ？？？？ pic.twitter.com/EVP39ya7gL
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 6, 2022
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 14:00
How cold does it have to get in order to be sent home?
There isn't a set temperature where employers have to send their employees home because it's too cold.
And since October 2012, there's no minimum temperatures in English schools, either.
The School Premises (England) Regulations 2012 don't specify a safe classroom temperature, although the National Education Union advises a minimum of 18C.
In the workplace, it's the employer's responsibility to ensure that the workplace has additional heating if the temperatures do get too cold.
Employers are recommended to include flexible working hours or rotas to help reduce the effects of a cold snap - but they don't have to.
Kate Palmer, head of advisory at employment law consultancy Peninsula, told The Sun an employer has no obligation to pay an employee if they fail to turn up for work because:
The weather is bad Public transport is not running They miss hours because they turned up late
Plus, employees do not have a legal right to be paid in the event they take an emergency day off with their children.
Louis Allwood 6th Jan 2022, 13:30
When is it too cold to go to work? (Continued...)
Employers are not required to pay employees if they cannot get to work in bad weather, according to government rights.
You could be asked to work from home, but if this isn't possible you may be asked to take unpaid or annual leave.
In the workplace, the mercury shouldn't dip below 16C and employers should try to increase temperature in the office or workplace.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that a workplace should provide "reasonable comfort".
Its Workplace Regulations 1999 state employers should "assess risks to health and safety and act where necessary (i.e. if the workplace temperature drops below the minimum guideline or if it is felt the temperature is too high)".
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