Households in England, Scotland and Wales are being urged to stockpile five key items as soon as possible due to snow and ice causing disruption to travel as well as power over the next three days.
The Met Office has issued two yellow weathers warning for ice and snow; one covering the north of Scotland and one covering England, Scotland and Wales.
Several major cities in England as well as parts of North Wales and south Scotland are affected by the second yellow weather warning, which is due to take effect from 7pm on Monday, November 18 and last until Tuesday morning.
Forecasters warn that as much as 20cm could fall in the affected UK areas over the 15 hour warning, with 10cm even possible on lower ground, in cities including Manchester, Nottingham, Newcastle, Leeds, Derby, Liverpool and Carlisle, while Bangor in North Wales and much of Scotland will also be preparing for snow storms.
Energy firm British Gas in its advice on dealing with power cuts says customers should stockpile these five items.
Firstly, torches. A battery powered or even kinetic (i.e. wind-up) torch is extremely useful in any possible power cut situation.
Spare batteries, both AA and AAA and whatever your torch takes, will also come in useful.
A back up charger for mobile phones, such as a battery pack with cable, would also be advised.
The firm added: “You might even consider a battery-powered radio, to keep on top of local updates if you can’t use your mobile.”
And naturally, keep a cupboard stocked with essential foods that you can prepare without electricity. It’s easier if you have a gas hob, as you can still cook soups, tinned meats and tinned potatoes on a gas hob, or make porridge.
But foods like tinned rice pudding, breakfast cereals, breakfast bars, nuts and seeds, and chocolate, can all be stored and eaten safely in a power cut with no preparation needed if you don’t have electricity or gas.
If you do have a power cut, call 105 from your mobile to report it.
The Met Office forecast says: “A period of rain, sleet and snow will occur during Monday evening, overnight into Tuesday morning.
“The most likely scenario is for most of the snow to accumulate on hills, with 5 to 10 cm possible above 200 metres and perhaps as much as 15 to 20 cm above 300 metres. There is a small chance of snow settling at lower levels, where 5 to 10 cm would prove much more disruptive, but this remains very uncertain.
“People cope better when they have prepared in advance for the risk of power cuts or being cut off from services and amenities due to the snow. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.”