UK weather forecast LIVE: South is set for a warmer weekend as as Met Office lifts snow and ice warnings
WARMER weather is expected this weekend as the Met Office lifts snow and ice warnings.
The south is set for a warmer weekend with sunshine and temperatures of around 50F, as Met Office lifts its snow and ice weather warnings.
Cloudy and patchy light rain is expected to continue through Saturday and Sunday. Then from Monday, most of Wales and swathes of England will be lashed by heavy rainfall.
Read our weather live blog for the latest news and forecasts…
- Milica Cosic
Environment Secretary quizzed over flooding
Environment Secretary George Eustice said 40,000 homes had been protected by flood defences, as he was quizzed on flooding and the lack of permanent defences on the River Severn at the National Farmers’ Union conference.
He said: “The Severn has had some issues particularly around Bewdley and Ironbridge and also some issues as well around Shrewsbury, but actually the defences that we have put in place have been very successful, as they were two years ago, protecting those communities.
“We know there are around 40,000 homes that have been protected by the flood defences put in place and on the Severn in particular we have these rather innovative demountable barriers that enable you to use the river normally most of the year.
“And then when the flood risk arises, we put up temporary barriers alongside the river, and those have been remarkably successful at reducing the flood risk particularly along the Severn, and have been again this time.”
- Milica Cosic
Short weather summary for Saturday
The Met Office said: “Northern UK rather cloudy with patchy rain or drizzle; some breaks in lee shelter.
“Elsewhere drizzle clearing Cumbria then largely sunny.
“Windy in west and north, gales across northwest Scotland.”
- Milica Cosic
Four million households can claim £25 a week energy bill help
AROUND 4million households are eligible for a £25 cold weather payment when temperatures drop below zero.
The benefit is to help struggling Brits pay for energy bills during spells of freezing weather.
The latest government figures show that 3.9million Brits are eligible to receive the £25 grant as energy bills rocket.
However, they’ll only get it when the temperature falls below zero for seven days in a row.
There have been six triggers in Britain since November last year.
All of the payments have been in Scotland so far, with 394,000 eligible recipients.
The data shows that five of those were in December 2021, with another payment made in January.
You can check whether you’re owed a payment by searching for your postcode on the Department for Work and Pensions website.
- Milica Cosic
Tips to avoid freezing and bursting pipes
- Make sure you know where your stop tap is and check it’s working
- If you are leaving your house during the freezing temperatures, leave your heating on and set the thermostat to 14 C
- Make sure all roof and vulnerable pipes are insulated and your boiler is serviced
- Make sure you have the name and telephone number of your nearest WaterSafe qualified plumber to hand. Keep it by the boiler or stop tap
- Get a neighbour to look in occasionally if you go away
The O2 ‘could be closed for MONTHS’
THE O2 could be closed for months as gigs at the venue are postponed after Storm Eunice ripped its domed roof to shreds.
The tempest wrought devastation around the country last week with record 122mph winds.
Around 1,000 people were evacuated from the arena in London as firefighters rushed to reports the roof had partially collapsed.
Employees now say the venue, which houses dozens of bars and restaurants, a shopping centre and a massive live music venue, could be closed for months while repairs are made.
One told the Mirror the roof over the shops “was whipped off” with a “huge whooshing sound”.
Another said they understood at least part of the building will be shut for weeks to come.
UK weather outlook for Sunday and Monday
On Sunday outbreaks of rain will spread eastwards across Scotland. Mainly dry further south with variable cloud and a chance of showers.
It will be an unsettled day on Monday as a band of thick cloud and rain will track south-eastwards across the country and will be locally heavy and persistent.
Driving safely on ice: what do you do if your car is sliding?
If your front wheels begin to slide, take your foot off the accelerator and allow the vehicle to slow.
If you still do not have control of your vehicle after a few seconds, lightly press the brake.
However, if your back wheels are the ones causing the sliding, gently turn your wheel in the direction you are sliding while taking your foot off the accelerator, but do not brake.
Generally, the key for not sliding is gradually slowing down.
Demisting your windscreen properly
Start the heater off cold and then slowly increase the temperature, this will stop the car becoming full of hot “wet” air.
Make use of the air-con if you have the feature as this will prevent condensation.
Similarly with a clever climate control system, these features will automatically adjust to achieve the best results.
If you do not have air-con or climate control leave your windows slightly open to clear the windscreen faster.
Never drive away until your windscreen is clear.
Driving in sun glare during the winter
Here are our tips so you can drive safely in the Winter sun.
If you’re not properly prepared, it can cause serious accidents, and if the sun is in your eyes, you may not see pedestrians, cyclists or fast breaking traffic.
To improve vision and reduce the risk of accidents when there is sun glare:
- Keep a pair of sunglasses in the car, preferably polarising ones
- Use the sun visors to provide better contrast for your eyes
- Clean your windscreen thoroughly, both inside and out
- Check and replace your windscreen wiper blades if they’re worn, damaged, or more than a couple of years old
- Slow down if you’re dazzled
- If the sun’s in your eyes it’s likely to be blinding drivers behind you too, which means you need bigger gaps to allow for delayed braking reactions
- Milica Cosic
Weather ‘chopping & changing’
The Met Office said the unsettled blustery weather will stay around over the coming days, especially in the north west, although conditions are not expected to be as severe as during the past week.
A number of weather fronts are set to cross the North, and bring bouts of wet and windy weather – while southern and eastern areas are in line for the best of the fine weather over the weekend.
It described the jet stream, which has been driving storm systems across the North Atlantic Ocean in recent weeks, as still being very active but these winds are shifting further north and may allow for more settled weather to arrive next week.
Meteorologist Alex Deakin said the weather will “remain pretty lively over the next certainly four or five days, chopping and changing day-on-day”.
- Milica Cosic
Take extra care today
The Met Office has urged people to take extra care when driving or walking, and warned of possible longer journey times on roads and railways due to the overnight frost.
More snowfall is expected to hit hilltops in some parts, while gusty winds mean blizzards are possible on higher routes.
Saturday is expected to be breezy, while people in the northwest have been told to brace for further strong winds and heavy rain on Sunday.
After a spell of rain across the UK on Monday, calmer weather is forecast from Tuesday, though clear skies could bring frosty mornings, the Met Office said.
- Milica Cosic
Spring’s here?
WARMER weather is expected this weekend as the Met Office lifts snow and ice warnings.
The south is set for a warmer weekend with sunshine and temperatures of around 50F, as Met Office lifts its snow and ice warnings.
Cloudy and patchy light rain is expected to continue through Saturday and Sunday. Then from Monday, most of Wales and swathes of England will be lashed by heavy rainfall.
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