Hundreds of schools closed in Scotland as cold health alert extended in England

A persistent Arctic freeze is causing significant disruption across the United Kingdom, forcing the closure of hundreds of schools in Scotland and prompting an extended health alert for England. The UK Met Office has issued amber weather warnings for snow in northern Scotland, where up to 15 centimeters (6 inches) could accumulate, creating hazardous travel conditions.

School closures and travel disruption in Scotland

Hundreds of schools across Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, Moray, Shetland, and Orkney remained closed on Tuesday, with many shutting for a second consecutive day. The closures follow an extended festive break due to the severe weather. National Rail services in northern Scotland are also experiencing significant disruptions, with icy conditions making roads treacherous. The lowest overnight temperature was recorded at -11.2°C in Dalwhinnie.

Extended cold-health alert for England

Separately, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended an amber cold-health alert for all regions of England until midday on Sunday, January 11. The alert warns of severe health impacts from prolonged cold, particularly for the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions. Agostinho Sousa of the UKHSA urged the public to check on vulnerable neighbors and ensure they can keep warm, noting the cold snap is expected to last at least through the weekend.

A test of preparedness and community resilience

The widespread disruption highlights the challenges posed by extreme winter weather even in developed nations. For countries with varied climates like Türkiye, which also experiences severe seasonal weather, such events underscore the importance of robust public warning systems, coordinated emergency response plans, and community support networks to protect public health and maintain critical services during meteorological emergencies.