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Temperatures As Low As -15C In Latest Cold Snap

Temperatures As Low As -15C In Latest Cold Snap

Snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures are expected in northern parts of Britain today, while areas in the south could face flooding.

Up to 15cm of snow is expected to fall on higher ground in northern England and Scotland, where the mercury could fall as low as -15C (5F).

The Environment Agency has issued four flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected and immediate action required. Two of these are for the Midlands and two for the South West.

There are also 40 flood alerts for England and Wales, meaning flooding is possible and people should be prepared. Among these are 19 for the South East and 11 for the South West.

The warnings come after the Thames Barrier was closed on Friday for the first time this winter when the river burst its banks at Greenwich.

Bookmaker Coral has cut the odds on this month being the wettest February on record from 4-6 to 1-2, with spokesman John Hill saying that betting on the topic had "picked up pace over the last week".

Meanwhile, the Met Office issued warnings for snow and ice for the areas of northern and northeastern Scotland and the Pennines, a large part of Aberdeenshire and as far south as central Lincolnshire.

It warned there could be accumulations of up to 5cm of snow in some places and that this and ice may make travel conditions difficult.

The cold weather is likely to continue for at least the next few days, according to Sky News Weather Presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar.

She says: "Tonight will remain largely dry with clear spells and a widespread sharp frost will develop again. Northern and eastern parts of the UK will continue to have snow showers as well.

"Tomorrow a few sleet or snow showers are likely through the day across Scotland and eastern England, especially in the morning.

"However, most places will have another fine day with plenty of sunshine, although it'll be chilly once again."

The cold snap comes just days after parts of the UK were hit by gusts of up to 100mph during Storm Imogen, meaning electricity had to be restored to thousands of homes left without power.

The US is also experiencing a cold snap, with temperatures in New York City falling as low as -4F (-20C) and wind gusts expected to reach 45mph, meaning it could feel well below -30C. A Central Park ice festival which included ice sculptures and music had to be cancelled because of the weather.