The lowest temperature in the UK for seven years was recorded on Thursday as snowy and icy weather continued to hit Britain.

Residents of Braemar in north-east Scotland were shivering in a temperature of -14.4C (6.1F), the Met Office said – the lowest temperature in the UK since 2012 when it reached -15.6C (3.9F) at Holbeach, Lincolnshire.

UPDATE: Braemar has now fallen to -14.4 °C. That's the lowest temperature in the UK since 2012 (-15.6 °C at Holbeach, Lincolnshire 11 February) pic.twitter.com/f1PVbiwDIZ — Met Office (@metoffice) January 31, 2019

Meanwhile an amber severe weather warning was issued on Thursday by the Met Office for London, south-east and south-west England and Wales.

The Met Office said: “A band of rain will arrive from the southwest on Thursday afternoon, quickly turning to snow and becoming heavy at times.”

It said 3cm to 7cm could accumulate within two to three hours and there could be up to 10cm in some places. “The highest snowfall accumulations are likely to be in areas above 150m,” the Met Office added.



All four countries in the UK set new records for this winter, with Sennybridge in Powys, Wales, dropping to -9.3C (15.3F), Katesbridge in Northern Ireland falling to -8.2C (17.2F) and Redesdale Camp in Northumberland recording a temperature of -10.4C (13.3F).

The Met Office issued weather warnings for snow, ice and fog on Thursday and into Friday. Mark Wilson, a Met Office forecaster, said the cold temperatures would stick around.

“It’s been a very, very cold night,” he said. “On Thursday night we could see similar temperatures in Scotland, but Northern Ireland, England and Wales probably won’t be quite as cold. Saturday night into Sunday could also be very cold.”

Southeastern trains said 21 services were being cancelled or altered on Thursday morning to minimise the impact of ice forming on the rails and ensure lines were clear. It said it would also run its winter weather timetable on Friday due to the forecast.

Manchester and Liverpool airports were brought to a standstill on Wednesday morning and several schools across the UK were closed owing to the harsh conditions.

The sun rises over a snowy Primrose Hill, north-west London. Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images

Wilson said central England and Wales were likely to bear the brunt of the snow on Thursday afternoon and into the evening, with up to 10cm (4in) of snow in some places.

Yellow weather warnings for ice were in place for north-west Scotland and the Northern and Western Isles, alerting travellers to be wary of slippery roads. Similar warnings were in place for north-west and south-west England, Yorkshire and the Humber and Wales.

People in the Midlands, east of England, Greater London and the south of England were advised to beware of fog making driving on icy roads more difficult on Thursday morning.

A yellow warning for snow was in place across swaths of England and was due to remain until late on Friday night. Most of Scotland should also be prepared for snowfall, the Met Office said.

Wintry weather in Blaenau Ffestiniog in Wales. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA

The Met Office warned heavy snow could cause:

Travel delays on roads and lead to some vehicles becoming stranded;

Delays and cancellations to rail travel;

Rural communities being cut off;

Power cuts and problems with mobile phone coverage.

The snow has already led to the cancellation of some sporting events including race meetings at Fakenham in Norfolk and Wincanton in Somerset.

In Wales, Dyfed-Powys police said it expected to be busy and asked for people to think twice before contacting the force.

Head of specialist operations, Supt Craig Templeton, said: “We have been busy planning for the adverse weather so we can continue to serve our communities in the way they expect.

“To help us do this, we are asking the public to consider their options before contacting us, as in some cases, other organisations may be better placed to help you.

“For example, if you are calling about a tree or power/telephone pole that is down you should only call us to report this if there is a significant risk to others, or there has been a collision and someone is injured.”

Sgt Olly Taylor, lead investigator for fatal road crashes in Devon and Cornwall, said: “Please think about whether your journey is really essential. Emergency services are likely to be busy.”

The AA is advising motorists to carry a winter survival kit containing items such as an ice scraper, de-icer and a blanket.

A spokesman said: “People should also take it slow, as stopping distances take 10 times longer. Gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving in ice and snow.”

Bookmaker Coral has slashed the odds on this February being the coldest on record, now making it just 6-4.

“We’ve had a freezing end to January and forecasts are suggesting that the next week or so will be more of the same. This means that February will begin with every chance of going into the record books as the coldest ever seen and we’ve slashed the odds on that coming true,” said Coral’s Harry Aitkenhead.