LONDON -- The year might be almost over, but last night temperatures dropped to a 2014 low across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Temperatures were compared to Alaska and Iceland Monday morning as newspapers attempted to contextualise mercury readings that plummeted to minus 8.8 degrees Centigrade (16.2F) in Katesbridge, County Down, minus 7.6 degrees Centigrade in parts of England and minus 6.7 degrees Centigrade in Wales.
Coldest night of the year so far for England (Benson -7.6C), Wales (Pembrey Sands -6.7C) & NI (Katesbridge -8.8C)— Met Office (@metoffice) December 29, 2014
The Met Office issued a yellow warning for ice Monday, advising that showers currently over the North Sea are expected to drift across parts of eastern England leading to icy stretches. They advised caution and said travel could be disrupted.
There has also been an amber alert in place since Friday which runs until Wednesday, New Year's Eve, warning of a 90% chance of severe cold weather, icy conditions and heavy snow. The weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients, the Met Office says. The amber level is one below red, which denotes a national emergency.
Good morning all. Another #FrostyMorningWarning today. #bePrepared https://t.co/VLveWucEQi pic.twitter.com/80JUqn99ol— AA SORT (@AASORT) December 29, 2014
Over the holiday period and the weekend the country's transport networks coped with the weather the way they usually do.
Liverpool's John Lennon airport and Yorkshire's Leeds Bradford were both forced to close on Boxing Day while runways were cleared of snow.
Snow in Sheffield caused big delays on the roads, meanwhile, with many drivers forced to abandon their cars.
Little bit of snow and we all go mad.. Not happy in this when I need a wee #snowuk #sheffieldsnow pic.twitter.com/Ksl0Xj5MxM— Nikki (@LittleNikkiSays) December 27, 2014
Some 90 miles to our North MT '@emma_journo: Gritters and snow ploughs out, cars sliding around. #sheffield #snow' pic.twitter.com/7eske2OzRs— Northampton Weather (@NNweather) December 26, 2014
Abandoned vehicles in #Sheffield after heavy snow overnight - tree branches brought down! pic.twitter.com/eu2EIW2po8— Phil Bodmer (@philbodmer) December 27, 2014
An ambulance required emergency assistance from some passersby after it was stuck in snow.
Charles Powell from the Met Office has said that temperatures should rise a little by New Year's Eve.