LONDON: Authorities in the United Kingdom have issued amber and yellow weather warnings on Friday as the country faces a cold wave and heavy snowfall.
The UK Met Office has declared an amber Cold Health Alert nationwide due to ongoing freezing conditions. Severe snowfall is expected in Scotland, with some areas receiving up to 40 centimetres of snow, which could disrupt transport services. Rail and flight delays, along with cancellations, are anticipated.
The Met Office has advised people to avoid non-essential travel, while Scottish police have urged residents to postpone journeys as conditions worsen. Yellow warnings for snow and ice remain in place across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
In February 2028, the powerful snowstorm called the “Beast from the East” caused major disruption across western Europe, claiming at least 17 lives. Cold air from Siberia had pushed temperatures sharply down, affecting daily life.
Currently, intermittent snowfall continues in London and other regions, disrupting road traffic and public transport. Authorities have taken measures to keep major highways operational, but hundreds of trains and flights have been cancelled, and hundreds of schools in England and Wales have been closed.
Despite the disruptions, many residents in London were seen enjoying the snowfall.
Across Europe, temperatures have plummeted dramatically. France and Belgium have recorded minus 10 degrees Celsius, Croatia reached minus 20 degrees Celsius following heavy snowfall, and Spain is also facing severe cold.
Rivers and canals in the Netherlands have frozen, and Germany has seen temperatures fall to minus 15 degrees Celsius.
Extreme weather and related accidents have claimed 17 lives in France, Italy, and other European countries. Meanwhile, northern parts of China continue to experience heavy snowfall and harsh winter conditions.