UK weather: ‘Coldest night in 74 years’ as elderly told not to travel for Covid jab

Temperatures could plummet to as low as -20C on Wednesday in the coldest night in 74 years as Storm Darcy takes hold.

Brits have endured a bitterly cold start to February with icy lows and snowfall but forecasters are now warning the mercury could fall even lower.

Met Office forecaster Simon Patridge told the Mirror temperatures could reach a sharp -20C in the Scottish Highlands on Thursday morning.

The stark warning comes after Altnaharra, Scotland, recorded the coldest night since 2010 on Tuesday with a record-breaking -16.7C.

Sub-zero conditions may even continue for the next five days and ongoing severe weather warnings for snow are in place ahead of the freeze.

Much of the country is subject to a yellow weather warning for snow, with as much as 15cm of the white stuff expected in some places.

Warnings are in place until midnight on Thursday but there is a possibility they could be extended as “frequent snow showers” loom.

Brits are used to cold weather but the constant snow fall has brought with it severe travel chaos, risk to life and the possibility of rural communities being cut off.

The elderly have even been warned not to travel for their coronavirus vaccine appointments due to the treacherous snow.

Director of Age UK, Caroline Abrahams, told the Telegraph “battling the elements” and “putting health risk” for the vaccine is not worth it as jab is not a “one off opportunity.”

She said: “Rather than battling the elements and putting health at risk, it would be better to call your GP to see what the alternative vaccination arrangements are being made locally.

“It’s important to remember that Covid-19 vaccination is not a one-off opportunity, if for any reason you can’t take the first appointment you’re offered there will be other opportunities later on, possibly in a range of nearby settings.”

The warning come after a man was found frozen dead on Walberswick Beach in Suffolk on Monday February 8.

HM Coastguard and the East of England Ambulance Service attended the scene and it was reported the man, in his 50s, had tried to go kitesurfing in sub-zero temperatures on February 7.

Many car owners have fallen victim to snowdrift and blockages, with police across the country urging people not to travel and wait out the blast.