Wintry conditions are set to persist across the UK, with low overnight temperatures and snow or ice expected to affect parts of the country. Forecasts indicate sub-zero temperatures in places overnight and travel disruption in areas that receive heavier snowfall.
The Met Office has issued multiple yellow warnings for snow and ice across regions including Northern Ireland, northern and central Scotland, coastal parts of south-west Wales, and areas of south-west, east and north-east England. A more severe amber warning is scheduled to take effect for the North York Moors, where higher ground could receive around 15-25cm (6-10ins) of snow.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also put cold-health alerts in place for England until Saturday, saying there could be "significant" impacts on older people and those with underlying health conditions.
The amber Met Office warning for parts of North Yorkshire runs from 03:00 to 21:00 GMT. Snow is expected through the day, mainly on ground above about 100m, and forecasters warn it could cause "substantial disruption" to travel and local services.
Forecasters say some upland areas, including the North York Moors and parts of the Scottish Highlands, could experience 'thundersnow' -- a rare event in which thunder and lightning occur during heavy snow showers. In south-west Wales, a line of showers known as the "Pembrokeshire Dangler" may bring persistent snow for parts of Pembrokeshire as showers move in from the Irish Sea.
Dozens of schools were closed in north-east Scotland and the Highlands as crews and authorities responded to snowfall. Road closures reported include the Woodhead Pass between Hollingworth and Flouch in Derbyshire and the B4391 between Rhyd y Sarn and Pen y Bryn in north-west Wales.
Amber cold-health alerts issued by the UKHSA cover the North West, North East, and Yorkshire and Humber in England until 08:00 GMT on Saturday, with the rest of England under yellow alerts. The agency warns of "significant" impacts on vulnerable people and that health and social care services may experience increased demand as temperatures fall.
Conditions are forecast to become milder by the weekend, with temperatures returning to nearer average levels by Saturday. Met Office analysis over recent decades indicates a reduction in the frequency, duration and intensity of cold spells compared with the 1980s.