Weather - live: Snow and ice warnings extended as Shetlanders face days without power

Some Shetland residents could have no power for the rest of the week

Londoners band together to move bus stuck during heavy snowfall

The Met Office has issued snow and ice warnings across central and southern parts of Scotland for Friday.

The latest weather warning comes after the forecaster extended a yellow warning for snow and ice covering northern Scotland and northeast England until noon on Friday.

Just yesterday, the Scottish government declared a major incident for Shetland after thousands of homes were left without power amid plummeting temperatures.

A local council leader said that some residents could be without electricity for the rest of the week.

Emma Macdonald, leader of the Shetland Islands Council, said wet and heavy snow, unusual for the area, had brought down power lines and poles.

She said: “We don't normally get much snow, we get a lot of wind and gales, and it has had a significant impact.

“We have so many lines down and people could be without electricity until the end of the week.”

SSEN Distribution is working to restore supplies to about 2,800 homes, but arned full restoration is only likely by the end of the week.

Key Points

• Thousands left without power as cold snap continues
• Danger warnings about ice
• Full list of UK school closures and late openings on Wednesday
• Man dies after falling into the Thames in -3C temperatures

[13 December 2022 14:00 · Furvah Shah]

UK school closures and late closures - see full list in your area

Many schools closed their doors or opened late on Monday and Tuesday due to snowy weather, with more disruption expected.

The Met Office has warned the wintry conditions will likely continue throughout the week, with a continuing risk of sleet and snow in some places.

Some schools may remain closed on Wednesday, and my colleague Zoe Tidman is keeping on top of school closures in your local area as wintry weather continues.

[13 December 2022 13:30 · Furvah Shah]

RAC has biggest day for breakdowns on record

The RAC experienced its biggest day for breakdowns on record on Monday, with around 12,000 drivers needing help from the car insurance provider.

RAC’s Rod Dennis said: “Yesterday was officially our busiest day for breakdowns on record, with around 12,000 drivers needing help, the equivalent of eight every minute of the day. Even our busiest day during the infamous Beast from the East in 2018 didn’t see as many people breaking down.

“We believe two key ingredients have combined to create the worst-ever winter breakdown cocktail - a sustained period of cold weather with an absence of widespread snow that would otherwise keep people indoors, and a big rise in the number of drivers who can’t afford to maintain their vehicles as well as they’d like to due to the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.

“Today remains an incredibly demanding day for our patrols, with the rail strikes likely to force yet more people onto the roads.”

[13 December 2022 13:10 · Furvah Shah]

How to drive safely through snow and ice

The current heavy snow across the UK means drivers are facing icy roads and treacherous conditions.

Motorists are advised against making unnecessary journeys and to proceed with extreme caution when setting out proves unavoidable.

The RAC’s are advising that drivers ensure they are properly prepared before setting out, allow more time for journeys, properly de-ice their cars and keep emergency supplies in your vehicle.

Joe Middleton has more advice on how to drive safely in wintry weather conditions.

[13 December 2022 12:40 · Furvah Shah]

Snow, black ice and fog cause travel chaos across UK

Since Sunday, snow, black ice and fog has caused chaos across travel in the UK, with rail strikes set to cause further disturbance to journeys from Tuesday.

The Met Office has issues several yellow weather warnings due to the wintry conditions, as temperatures reach record lows of -17.5C.

Roads in east and south-east England were amongs the worst affected.

[13 December 2022 12:10 · Furvah Shah]

Sleet and snow expected in north England and Scotland

The weather will remain cold across the UK for today, with a chance of sleet and snow showers in the north of England and Scotland.

Patchy rain, sleet and snow will also edge into the south-west, reports the Met Office.