UK Cold Weather: Travel Chaos Ensues and Three Children Dies After Falling in Frozen Lake

The UK cold weather is causing travel chaos across the country due to the combination of heavy snow, ice, and freezing fog nationwide.

The winter storm also led to the deaths of three children who fell into a frozen lake. 

UK Cold Weather

(Photo : Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: A general view of snow-covered rooftops on December 12, 2022 in London, England. Snow and ice disrupted rail travel and closed schools in parts of southeast England on Monday.

The current UK weather is coupled with snow and ice that are causing widespread travel disruption across the country.

This year's coldest night included heavy snow in Scotland and southeast-eastern England, where delays struck road, rail, and air travel, the BBC reported.

In addition, schools from Cornwall to the Scottish Highlands were forced to close.

The Met Office, the UK's meteorological organization, issued new snow and ice warnings for large parts of the UK on Tuesday morning, December 13.

Scotland is already on its way to record tis coldest December in more than a decade after temperatures plummeted down to -15.7 degrees Celsius in Aberdeenshire, according to the BBC.

In other parts of the UK, a temperature low of -8.8 degrees Celsius was recorded in Sennybridge, Wales; -8.7 degrees Celsius in Katesbridge, Northern Ireland; and -9.76 degrees Celsius in Levens Hall, Cumbria.

Furthermore, "unofficial observations" indicated 5.9 inches of snow fell near Stansted Airport in England.

Also Read: Study: In 2040, UK Won't Have Snow Anymore

Snow and Ice Warnings

A snow and ice warning are in effect for northern Scotland and northeast England from midnight on Tuesday until noon on Thursday, December 15.

Meanwhile, an ice warning is in place for southeast England from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

According to the Met Office, snow showers and icy surfaces will cause some travel disruption and highlights the following remarks:

•  Roads and railways are likely to experience longer journey times by bus, road, and train services.
•  Injuries from slip-ups and falls are likely on icy surfaces.
•  Icy patches are expected on several untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths.

In addition, the UK weather agency said areas with freezing fog and patchy ice could also cause difficult travel conditions from Monday evening, December 12, to Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm Fatalities

The winter storm in the UK led to the deaths of three young boys who fell through an ice covering of a frozen lake in central England and a fourth child remains hospitalized.

The UK police pulled the victims from the icy water using their bare hands on Sunday afternoon, December 11, according to The Associated Press.

They were rushed to a hospital in the West Midlands.

However, the three boys could not be revived after suffering from cardiac arrest.

Emergency workers searched the area overnight from Sunday to Monday for two other children with the group.

It is still unclear if there are additional victims of the weather-related tragedy, the AP News added.

AccuWeather meteorologists stated the cold conditions in the UK will persist until most parts of this week, but additional snowfall is not expected.

Still, the meteorologists warned travel problems can still remain as a result of lingering snow on roads and pockets of freezing fog that develop during overnight hours until the morning commute.

Related Article: Heavy Snow Could Cause Traffic Disruption in UK as Cold Weather Continues Until Next Week