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Met Office issues yellow warning of ice and snow for Herts and Essex on Monday night on top of cold weather alert for England until Wednesday




A yellow warning of ice and snow for Hertfordshire and Essex has been issued on Monday (March 6) by the Met Office.

The weather warning covers the period from 9pm on Monday to 10am on Tuesday, with temperatures forecast to drop to freezing at dawn on Tuesday. It could be as low as -4C (25F) on Tuesday night into Wednesday.

The Met Office warning says ice and some snow will lead to difficult travel conditions in places, with roads and railways likely to be affected. There will be icy patches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths, with a risk of injuries from slips and falls.

A snowy South Street in Bishops Stortford during 2018's Beast from the East. Pic: Vikki Lince
A snowy South Street in Bishops Stortford during 2018's Beast from the East. Pic: Vikki Lince

An Arctic airmass is bringing sub-zero temperatures, ice and the risk of snow to many parts of the country this week.

A cold weather alert is in place from Monday morning until Wednesday (March 6-8) as a result of the arrival of a northerly airflow which is drawing icy air from the Arctic across England that could lead to widespread "disruptive conditions".

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Chris Almond said: "Very cold air will spread across the UK. This brings with it snow, even to low levels in the north and east through Monday and Tuesday, and in excess of 10cm (4in) could accumulate, most likely on high ground in the north but also settling for a time at lower levels.

Castle Park and town centre, Bishops Stortford. Snow pix with a different outlook. .Pic: Vikki Lince. (62791202)
Castle Park and town centre, Bishops Stortford. Snow pix with a different outlook. .Pic: Vikki Lince. (62791202)

"With freezing overnight temperatures and the risk of ice, there’s a risk of some travel disruption, and wintry hazards are likely to persist through much of the week, even further south for a time."

Forecasters have been watching weather models closely since it emerged that a weather system known as a Sudden Stratospheric Warming - which brought England the Beast from the East in 2018 - had occurred again at the end of February, triggering the possibility for more winter storms in the following fortnight.

Level 2 and Level 3 cold weather alerts - which come jointly from the Met Office and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) - have been issued across England for the start of the week and will be reviewed and possibly extended in the coming days.

The early warnings help organisations like the NHS and local councils organise how they can ensure those vulnerable to the cold, such as the homeless or elderly, are properly taken care of.

Cold weather alerts are in place for England
Cold weather alerts are in place for England

Nationally, there are thousands of excess winter deaths every year caused by the cold. The alerts trigger actions across the NHS, public health, social care and other community organisations to support vulnerable people with health issues that can be made worse in wintry weather.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: “During periods like this, it is important to check in with friends and relatives who may be more vulnerable to the cold weather, as it can have a serious impact on health.

"If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65, it is important to try and heat your home to at least 18C if you can."



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