By Lucy Caulkett-
Drivers are likely to be left stranded on roads, according to a Met Office warning in relation to the cold weather. Rail cancellations and delays are also expected to occur, and rural communities could become cut off and there is a good chance power cuts will affect mobile phone coverage. The amber weather warning for snow carrying a potential risk to life has been alerted to members of the British public as parts of England and Wales brace themselves for an avalanche of snow today.
Travel delays on roads are likely, stranding some vehicles and passengers. Some delays and cancellations to rail travel are likely. There is also a good chance some rural communities could become cut off. Power cuts are likely and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected. Cornwall Council have announced that three schools – Curnow School, Launceston College and Trythall CP School, closed early on Thursday due to the forecast of heavy snow.
On a day predicted to be the coldest winter night so far, the warning covers London and south east England, the south west and Wales, but a map showing the amber warning suggests parts of Devon, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Dorset and south Wales will be among the worst affected. Cornwall College Cambourne and Duchy College Rosewarne campuses have also cancelled evening classes due to experiencing “heavy snowfall”.
All 30 schools on Devon County Council’s website have been either partially closed or totaly closed on Thursday afternoon. Pembrokeshire County Council also announced that four schools would close early due to the “forecast for snow and icy road conditions”. Ysgol y Preseli, Ysgol Caer Elen and Tavernspite, and Portfield Special School in Haverfordwest at 12.30pm. School transport was also arranged for those closures and mobilised for a further 11 schools in the area.
In North Yorkshire, heavy snowfall has seen 26 schools close down. Amongst them are Barrowcliff School, Scarborough. Danby CE Primary School, Danby, Whitby. Ebor Academy, Filey. Egton CE Primary School, Egton Bridge, Whitby. Forest Moor School, Harrogate. George Pindar School, Scarborough. Goathland Primary School, Whitby. Graham School, Scarborough.