Forecasters warned that Britain will continue to shiver in icy conditions for at least another week as the country’s transport networks struggle to overcome the Arctic freeze.
Temperatures plummeted to as low as -10˚C in the southeast of England overnight, bringing an end to a week of major commuter disruption, school closures and tragedy.
Two teenage girls were killed in a road crash in Cumbria, with police claiming that treacherous road conditions appeared to be a factor in the collision. Two pensioners also died after falling in their gardens in sub-zero temperatures, while a motorist who stopped to help a stranded driver died after he was struck by another vehicle.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond last Friday summoned government chiefs for an hour-long emergency weather meeting to “stocktake” and discuss preparations for the weekend.
Though the worst of the snow has fallen, temperatures remain low for the time of year and rain is set to make Britain’s frozen roads and pavements even more dangerous.
“The problem is the ground temperature is lower than the air temperature so this makes thawing difficult,” said Aisling Creevey, a forecaster with Meteo Group, the Press Association’s weather division. “It’s going to be really cold into the next 10 days.”
England and Wales are predicted to have some respite from the snow today as rain showers move in bringing temperatures up to 7˚C in some areas. But that will not be enough to melt the ice which is expected to be worsened by rain freezing on top.
Surrey Police said the anti-clockwise section of the M25 at Clacket Lane services was closed after a lorry collided with a passenger coach. It is not known if the weather conditions contributed to the accident.
Rail services were still struggling after the bitter weather caused widespread disruptions and cancellations. Line operators East Coast, Southern, First Great Western, South West, South Eastern, and First TransPennine Express were still experiencing delays, while Eurostar said it would be operating a reduced timetable until today.
Major airports were also operating although many were experiencing flight delays.