Britain’s gas storage levels have become ‘concerningly low,’ says the owner of British Gas.
The UK’s gas storage sites are currently 26% lower than this time last year, ‘leaving them around half full.’
The issue has been caused by plummeting temperatures and the country’s high demand for gas-fired power station.
The owner of British Gas said: ‘This means the UK has less than a week of gas demand in store.’
Brits awoke to icy and freezing cold conditions across the country this morning ahead of an evening where temperatures in Northern areas could reach lows of -20°C.
Brits are wrapping up warm amid plunging temperatures (Credits: Yui Mok/PA Wire)
Wednesday evening saw temperatures plummet to lows of -13.3°C in Northern Scotland and Northern Ireland.
And Thursday night was even colder – with temperatures reaching as cold as -16°C in such areas.
The Met Office have now issued new yellow weather warning for areas covering Wales, South-East and North-East England, Northern Ireland and Northern Scotland today.
Scots are expected to see further snowfall with the Met Office predicting ‘snow showers and ice leading to further trave; disruption.’
Southerners have woken up to freezing cold conditions too, with London currently -2°C.
The weather warnings put in place in such areas are for ice.
The Met Office website warns of ‘scattered wintry showers which may lead to some icy patches and travel disruption.’
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The rest of Friday is set to remain cold during the day-time, before a night which the Met Office has predicted temperatures of -20°C in Northern sections of the country.
‘It’s going to be another cold couple of days,’ warned Met Office meteorologist Liam Eslick.
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Man taken to hospital after crash in South-East London
A man was rushed to hospital after a crash this morning involving a lorry in Greenwich, South-East London.
The driver of the lorry involved in the collision was the person taken to hospital following the incident near the Blackwall Tunnel Approach.
Ambulance services were called to the Greenwich area shortly before 7am this morning.
The Met Office have warned that road closures remain in place.
The casualty’s condition is currently unknown.
Dozens of cars grinded to a halt after filling up their vehicles with ‘contaminated’ fuel
The incident occurred at a BP garage in Rayleigh, Essex
The incident occurred at a BP garage in Rayleigh, Essex, when more than 30 drivers filled up their cars with contaminated fuel, The Sun reports.
Footage showed one car being helped from a recovery firm on the side of the forecourt.
Owner of the garage, Lee Pretlove said: ‘This does not happen frequently, and it is very rare but we are still doing jobs around this on Thursday, it has been three days solid.
‘We never see this many at all, the technicians pass jobs on to us and we have had loads of calls, we have been inundated.’
The garage was shut on Tuesday before reopening on Wednesday with the pump out of use.
Two lanes closed after South-East London crash
The incident occurred in Greenwich, London (Credits: George Cracknell Wright)
The crash involved a flat-bed lorry (Credits: George Cracknell Wright)
Two lanes have been closed in Greenwich, London, after a crash involving a flat-bed lorry on the A102 Blackwall Tunnel Approach this morning.
The cause of the incident is currently unknown, but drivers have been warned to take extra care when taking to the road this morning amid the icy conditions.
Yellow weather warnings remain in place across much of the UK.
‘One of the busiest weeks for breakdowns since COVID, say RAC
The RAC have said that the extremely cold weather this week has led to one of their busiest weeks in the last five years.
Alice Simpson, an RAC spokesperson, said: ‘This is one of our busiest weeks for breakdowns in the five years since the COVID pandemic, with our roadside teams working flat out to rescue drivers.
‘We’re prioritising members who are away from home or in dangerous locations, and waiting times are inevitably longer. Drivers setting out must ensure they are ready for the conditions.
‘Until the weather warms up on Sunday, there is an ongoing risk of ice and snow which will make the roads treacherous. Sticking to major routes that have been gritted is advised.
‘We also urge anyone setting out to have an emergency kit in the boot, that includes warm clothes, waterproofs, food, a flask of hot drink and a mobile phone power bank.’
‘One of the busiest weeks for breakdown since COVID, say RAC
The RAC have said that the extremely cold weather this week has led to one of their busiest weeks in the last five years.
Alice Simpson, an RAC spokesperson, said: ‘This is one of our busiest weeks for breakdowns in the five years since the COVID pandemic, with our roadside teams working flat out to rescue drivers.
‘We’re prioritising members who are away from home or in dangerous locations, and waiting times are inevitably longer. Drivers setting out must ensure they are ready for the conditions.
‘Until the weather warms up on Sunday, there is an ongoing risk of ice and snow which will make the roads treacherous. Sticking to major routes that have been gritted is advised.
‘We also urge anyone setting out to have an emergency kit in the boot, that includes warm clothes, waterproofs, food, a flask of hot drink and a mobile phone power bank.’
Map shows today’s weather warnings in the UK
A map of the weather warnings issued by the Met Office today (Provider: Metro Graphic)
Yellow weather warnings have been put in place by the Met Office across the UK.
In Wales, the South-West, East, and North-West of England, the warnings are for ice with temperatures dropping below freezing.
Scotland’s is for snow and ice, after temperatures dropped to a staggering -16ºC last night in northern parts of the country.
Torrid weather makes for tremendous pictures
Temperatures have dropped below freezing this morning (Credits: Phil Barnett/PA Wire)
Lakes and ponds have frozen over around the country, including at Trafalgar Square (Credits: Emma Trimble / SWNS)
With Brits wrapping up warm across the country today to brave the freezing conditions, the ice and frost has made for scenic imagery.
‘Major disruptions’ between Leicester and Peterborough, say National Rail
A points failure between Leicester and Loughborough railway stations is causing significant delays to rail services in the area.
National Rail have warned that ‘trains may be cancelled, delayed by up to 80 minutes or revised.’
Delays were first announced earlier this morning and were expected to last until 9am. Disruption is now predicted to last until at least 11am.
A number of roads begin to close following incidents this morning
A number of roads across the country have closed this morning following incidents likely to have been caused by today’s icy conditions.
The A40 in Gloucestershire closed shortly after 8am between the A4136 AND B4222 due to an ‘overturned vehicle.’
The A30 is too closed in both directions near Pool and Redruth due to a ‘police led incident.’
Drivers are being urged to plan ahead if they are planning to get behind the wheel in the next hour or two.
Highest level of demand for rescues in the UL in three years, say car insurer
The AA and car insurers are warning of dangerous driving conditions (Credits: Geoffrey Swaine/Shutterstock)
Car insurer RAC have said it has seen the highest levels of demand for rescues in a three-day period since December 2022.
January has got off to a bitterly cold start, particularly this week, and those freezing conditions have led to icy and dangerous roads which, in turn, brings more accidents.
Things are not set to change heading into the weekend either, with the UK Health Security Agency has extended its cold weather health alert until Sunday.
AA warns of icy roads, pavements and cycle paths
The AA have predicted they are in for a busy end to the week with the Met Office issuing yellow weather warnings for ice across the country.
Both the AA and Met Office have warned that roads, particularly in the North, are likely to be affected by the freezing fog and ice-cold conditions.
Drivers have been urged to check forecasts before getting behind the wheel and consider whether their journey is necessary.
AA Patrol of the Year, Chris Wood, said: ‘If you do need to travel, reduce your speed to account for the conditions and leave plenty of space behind other vehicles, and try to use main roads where possible as these are more likely to have been gritted.
‘Allow extra time, as it’s likely your journey will take longer than usual, and ensure you have plenty of fuel or electrical charge if driving an electric vehicle (EV).
‘Before setting off, check the condition of your tyres (including the spare). It’s important to fully de-ice the car which includes clearing snow from the windows, lights and roof so you can see and be seen.
‘If you need to use your fog lights, remember to switch them off once visibility improves.’
Trafalgar Square fountains frozen
Temperatures in London are currently -2ºC(Credits: George Cracknell Wright)
A yellow weather warning remains in place (Credits: George Cracknell Wright)
The fountains at London’s famous Trafalgar Square have frozen after a night where temperatures in the capital reached lows of -3ºC.
London commuters will have woken up to freezing conditions this morning, with temperatures in London around -2ºC before sunrise.
A yellow weather warning remains in place for ice in the capital with the Met Office predicting highs of 3ºC today.
Brits wake up to freezing conditions
Much of the country has awoken to icy conditions this morning (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Good morning and welcome to today’s Metro live blog on a Friday morning where Brits have arisen to freezing cold conditions across the country.
Thursday evening saw temperatures plummet to as low as -16ºC in Northern Areas and such conditions are only set to continue into the weekend.
Follow this blog for updates on the weather and travel disruption throughout the day.
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