Met Office issues red weather warning as snow disrupts Britain – live updates

Hundreds of schools are still closed as Met Office issues red warning for central of Scotland Share your photos and storiesEmergency shelters opened for homeless people in cold snap 1.46pm GMT The World Health Organisation has warned that the cold weather sweeping much of Europe poses a heath risk particularly for the homeless, refugees and other vulnerable people.It urged governments to help protect those most at risk. Frequently, poor households are the hardest hit as the poor can least afford to adequately heat their homes. Homeless people, and refugees and migrants can be especially vulnerable. Their risk increases if they lack proper clothing, food and medical care.Health and social services often face the challenge of caring for an increased number of patients suffering from various cold-related illnesses. Disruptions in services and infrastructure can further indirectly aggravate the health effects. 1.37pm GMT Glasgow city centre is unusually quiet this lunchtime, 90 minutes before the red extreme weather warning is due to come into force. Suburban streets were rowdier than usual as children with an unexpected day off came out to play, but there is far less traffic on the roads. The windchill factor remains strong, with gusts whipping up banks of fallen snow. Although traffic had broken up snow on main roads, side streets remained slippery as most people decided to stay indoors.ScotRail have just started telling staff and customers in affected areas to head home now as they are starting to run the rail service down because of the red weather warning that the Met office posted for 3.00pm today until 10.00am tomorrow. Continue reading…
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