BRITS are bracing for a New Year’s weekend washout with “wintry” showers as Storm Gerrit wreaks havoc.
Parts of the UK were battered by 70mph wind and chills of -6 yesterday.
And there will be no relief as the outlook for Friday to Sunday – although “brighter” – will still see showers and rain, the Met Office said.
Forecasters said there will be snow in the North of England on Friday, with the weather turning “cloudier and windier” on Saturday.
On Sunday – New Year’s Eve – forecasters say Brits should expect “showers and sunny spells”, potentially putting a dampener on firework plans.
New Year’s Day appears set to be slightly milder, with the Met Office’s long range forecast expecting a “finely balanced” day – but with “wintry showers” still expected.
Next week could bring “more significant snowfall” – with fog and frost coming along with it.
A further risk of winter hazards – including ice and snow – could then develop.
It comes after Storm Gerrit wreaked havoc across the UK on Wednesday.
Chills of -6.2C were recorded in Braemar, Scotland, yesterday, as winds of 70mph and heavy rain battered the UK.
A yellow weather warning for “very windy conditions” is in place across swathes of the West Coast, with Brits warned of travel disruption.
Miles of cars were left trapped in snow, with trains across the UK cancelled.
A major incident was declared on the A9 in the Scottish Highlands as emergency services were scrambled.
Police Scotland said they were dealing with the incident between Drumochter and Dalwhinnie as rescue teams prioritise the vulnerable amid “severe conditions”.
Earlier on Wednesday the Met Office warned some areas of the Highlands could see between 10-20cm of snow.
Disruption on the A9 saw Rangers’ SPL game against Ross County called off after the latter’s team bus was unable to reach Glasgow.
A spokesperson for Highland Council said: “A major incident has been declared for A9 due to miles of vehicles stuck in the snow between Drumochter and Dalwhinnie.
“Partner agencies are providing assistance to those trapped, prioritising most vulnerable, and turning vehicles around at north and south of the closure.
“Conditions are very severe. We are advising people not to travel on A9 today between Inverness and Dalwhinnie.”
Extraordinary pictures show how Bowling station in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, turned into a canal as water flooded the tracks.
Meanwhile at least eighteen British Airways flights due in and out of Heathrow were axed.
Thousands of travellers hoping to return to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Jersey and Manchester had their plans ripped up.
And those bound for Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid and Paris Charles de Gaulle had their journeys canned as air traffic control brought in a raft of travel restrictions.
A British Airways spokesman apologised to customers for the disruption and said they are working hard to get travellers on their way “as quickly as possible”.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
