Blackout fears in ICEBOX Britain – Snow and ice alert following -8.9C overnight

Last night, families were left freezing cold as temperatures plunged to sub-zero levels. This was due to the Troll of Trondheim’s icy grip.

The worst of the storm hit Benson, South Oxfordshire. The village saw the mercury drop to -9C. 

Snow also fell in large parts of Scotland, Yorkshire and parts of Yorkshire. Images showed snow in Consett County Durham. 

But it was Stannington in Sheffield that will have suffered the hardest overnight – with a Major Incident still declared there.

Engineers continue to work to get gas supplies back to homes in the icy Stannington and Sheffield.

After flooding damaged the system earlier this week, up to 2,000 properties are without their gas. 

Additional cold weather is expected to cause more misery, with yellow warnings for snow/ice being issued across northern Scotland.

Yellow ice warnings can also be found in the south-west, northern Ireland and eastern parts of England. 

Luke Miall, Met Office forecaster said that today was bitterly cold but that there is more to come. In parts of Scotland, temperatures could drop as low as 10 degrees. 

He According to the author, “As Friday’s sun sets, temperatures drop again, so the chance of ice.” [is there] Once again, we have those showers throughout the day. 

“Winds will ease down in some areas, which means that there is a possibility of fog or mist patches developing.

‘Freezing fog patches [will come] These temperatures are below zero. 

“And again by Saturday morning we could be looking at 8, -9, or even -10 for those parts of Scotland with snow cover on.

He According to some reports, fog and mist on Saturday could take a while to clear and could persist throughout the day.

Rain showers are likely in western England and Wales. In Scotland, snow showers will continue. The yellow warning remains in place for the weekend. 

The temperature will be just a few degrees above freezing, but they will dip below 0 as the evening draws in.  

Stannington resident describes their home as “as cold as Iceland” without any fuel to heat it. 

They also said that they had wrapped the son in five blankets overnight, but that he was still cold when he woke up. 

For some people to receive cold weather payments, the trigger has been reached in some areas.

A woman walks her dog across the overnight snow near the Terris Novalis sculpture, Consett County Durham

A man walks through the snowy overnight near the Terris Novalis sculpture, Consett County Durham, this morning 

Until Monday, a level 3 cold weather alert will be in effect across England. There are also several Met Office yellow warnings. Above: Snow in Consett County Durham today

Scotland has received the most snowfall. Above: Snow on the ground, Aberdeenshire

This morning, a commuter was seen riding along the frozen Blackheath Common in south east London.

A woman walks her dog across snowy Castleside Viaduct, Durham, where snow fell overnight.

Households in 300 postcodes will get £25 if they area already in receipt of certain benefits.

A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions stated that cold weather payments could be activated right up to March 31, giving people who are experiencing disproportionately cold conditions extra security over the colder months.

“We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society, and this additional help is in addition to wider…” Government support including £1,200 in direct payments already issued to millions of low-income households this year.

“Alongside this, we’re providing households with £400 towards their energy bills this winter, with our energy price guarantee saving the typical household another £900 on top of this.”   

The icy overnight conditions caused chaos on the roads, as drivers struggled with the situation.

It was made worse when it was revealed that there is a shortage of gritter driver. 

A snow warning has been issued for parts of the UK as Arctic conditions caused temperatures to plummet overnight and the Met Office predicts up to six inches of in the coming days.

Reports suggested that households could be alerted by the government to reduce electricity use within days, despite rising energy prices and sun and winds levels that will remain low. 

Last night, the mercury dropped to -9.3C at Aonach Mor Mountain in Scotland. Aberdeen saw 2in (5cm), and the Scottish Highlands saw the mercury drop down to -9.3C. 

Temperatures dropped to -3C in North Yorkshire with snow in Whitby and Scarborough, while Gatwick Airport recorded -5C at midnight.

According to the Daily Telegraph: The National Grid stated it is available to take ‘enhanced measures’ to ensure power supply stability this weekend, as wind levels drop.

A spokesperson for the company stated that margins are expected to be tighter this coming week, especially in the next few days. This is based upon our current assessment and may change.

“Our control room has a variety of operational tools to manage this.

“These actions also include our improved actions.”

But Adam Scorer, chief executive of National Energy Action, said more must be done, adding: “Millions will have been dreading the onset of winter.

“Impossible-high prices and the current cold weather will leave millions struggling at home to stay safe and warm.”

“Our figures show that 6.7million UK households are fuel poor, after energy prices almost doubled in one year.

“We hear daily from people who have to turn off their heating when they are most in need.

After snow fell overnight, a woman walks her dog in front of the Terris Noalis sculpture.

Consett, County Durham, has snow-covered homes after the wintry showers of last night.

This morning, a walker was seen in Dunsden (Oxfordshire), amid low temperatures and frost.

Trondheim’s Troll is expected to bring low winds, sun exposure, and make winter energy backups more difficult to find.

Gordon Pearson took advantage of the closed roads in Carrbirdge to do some cross-country skiing

To help motorists climb a hill in the village, Egton residents spread salt on the snow and the ice.

“The vicious choice is between massive debt or unheated homes, with terrible consequences for either.

“We will now begin to see how bleak and miserable this winter will be.

“Despite the current program of support, the Government “We must offer more help to those who are most at risk this winter.”

Commuters can be seen travelling in the cold conditions of the North Yorkshire Moorson Thursday

A model suggested that the snow could be concentrated in the south of England. The Atlantic low pressure system will influence the movement of snow.

The National Grid forecasts this. Wind generaBritain’s tion is set to fall to 2.9 gigawatts on Monday and 1.1 GW by Sunday.

This would lower the company’s spare capability’ to ‘adequate’ levels. 

The Telegraph reports that although it is not clear what these enhanced measures are, it could include people being paid less energy during peak times. 

A driver lost control of a country road in Banbury Oxon, and ended up stuck in a hedgerow.

Charities warned that elderly people could be affected by the cold snap because of the high energy prices and blackout risk. 

Morgan Vine, head of policy at Independent Age, said: ‘The prospect of blackouts affecting older people’s heating and electricity supply this winter is incredibly worrying.

‘Not being able to put the lights on or keep warm enough could put many older people’s health at risk, increasing the chance of falls and making health conditions worse. 

“Many older persons rely on equipment that requires continuous power. Many have telephones connected their broadband routers, or use their TV or Radio to stay connected.