Some train companies have cancelled services and the NHS has issued a cold weather alert as the first of the much-anticipated snow dusted England’s east coast and forecasters warned of worse to come.
A Siberian weather system nicknamed the “beast from the east” is already predicted to bring widespread wintry conditions today and tomorrow. Forecasters say more snow and gales could arrive from the west later in the week when Storm Emma is due to collide with cold air over the UK.
The Met Office has issued amber “be prepared” warnings for north-east, central and southern England today, as the first snow began to settle yesterday morning. Yellow “be aware” warnings for snow were in place for the eastern side of England and Scotland with up to 20cm of snow forecast by midweek.
More amber warnings could be imposed on Thursday and Friday. A Met Office spokeswoman said: “Once it crosses Portugal, Storm Emma will track up north across Europe and bring some wind and snow to the UK.
“This weather front will make contact with the cold weather that is covering the UK at the moment. That’s what’s leading to the potential for heavy snow as well as the strong winds which are coming with the system. At the moment the snow risk is worst in the east of the country. This will impact more from the south-west.”
The initial warnings alone were enough for Greater Anglia to cancel dozens of branch line services in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex as the first snow fell. It also warned of delays on main lines and more cancellations at short notice.
Anthony Smith, the chief executive of Transport Focus, suggested train companies had been too quick to cancel services. He said: “Blanket suspensions of service on various routes is worrying, and the industry needs to better communicate why such drastic action is necessary. A careful balance is needed between caution and the railway’s duty to get passengers where they need to go, particularly at times when travel by road may be tricky.”
