Much of northern England is set to face localised blizzard conditions, winds of up to 80mph, and a yellow ice warning this week.
The latter end of 2021 certainly brought with it all manner of unpredictable weather conditions, including both Storm Arwen and Storm Barra, all before the country experienced what was described as “an exceptionally mild spell” and recorded the warmest ever New Year’s Day since records began.
But now, temperatures are set to plummet this week – and snow could be on its way.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice for much of the North, including parts of Greater Manchester, from midnight on Friday (7 January) to 10am, and it appears to covers parts of Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, and Wigan.
The warning also covers parts of Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Cumbria, Scotland, and Ireland too – with forecasters saying there could be “frequent sleet and snow showers” leading to some potential disruption to travel and difficult driving conditions, as per the definition of a Met Office yellow weather warning.
If Friday’s forecast turns out to be true, the Met Office says that some roads and railways are likely to be affected, with longer journey times by road, bus, and train services, and there will also probably be some icy patches on untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths
Some brief power outages are possible too, with a risk of isolated lightning strikes.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice for much of the North / Credit: Pxhere
Warnings for these harsh conditions and temperatures dropping to close to and below sub-zero before this week is out comes after a yellow weather warning for ice was issued for Greater Manchester this morning (4 January) – a stark difference following the uncharacteristic warm spell.
Today is proving to be “noticeably colder across the whole of the country”, the Met Office said, with temperatures peaking at 8°C.
Make sure you are #WeatherReady in the colder months. Cold weather can be a risk to your health especially if you are over 65 or have a long-term health condition. Your home should be heated to more than 18°C
Brits are also being urged to check on their elderly neighbours as it begins to get colder, with Agostinho Sousa – a consultant in public health medicine at UKHSA – having warned that cold weather can have a “serious impact on health, particularly for older people and those with heart and lung problems”.
He continued: “It’s important to check on those who are more vulnerable to cold weather, including older neighbours or relatives – especially those living alone or those who have a serious illness.
“Remind them to heat their home to at least 18°C and to keep up to date with the forecast.”
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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Everton are reportedly already hoping to sign Jack Grealish from Manchester City permanently
Danny Jones
Everton FC are reportedly already considering signing Jack Grealish on a permanent deal after an impressive start to his spell on loan from Manchester City.
The former Aston Villa talisman has struggled to remain in the starting XI under Pep Guardiola since joining the club in 2021, but since arriving on Merseyside, he’s already been a difference-maker in every match for the Toffees thus far.
Grealish has not only registered four assists in just two starts for Everton but also won the very first player of the month award in the Premier League this season for his contributions.
Safe to say he’s fast made a big impact over in Liverpool – hence why it is now thought that manager David Moyes wants to make his transfer permanent.
Becoming just the 10th Toffee to ever win the accolade, the Birmingham-born creator is now thought to be the primary transfer target, despite the summer window having only recently closed.
He writes that despite the deal between Everton and Man City already including a £50 million option to buy next summer, that number is “not fixed and is more a consequence of accounting than a set price.”
The England international still has two years on his contract in the blue half of Manchester, but the previous valuation (which is half the amount City paid for him in a then record fee for a British player), so it is believed that he could be signed for an even better cut-price offer as his deal runs down.
Put it this way, it looks like the supporters would do just about anything to keep him at the Hill Dickinson.
Jack Grealish giving his shirt to an Everton fan after their brilliant win away at Wolves today.
Bascombe goes on to explain, however, that his salary considerations could be a significant obstacle. Grealish is estimated to be earning approximately £12m a year, which is almost certainly too rich for Everton’s blood.
Taking that into account, it’d be a case of whether or not the Brummy forward would be willing to accept a much lower wage to depart the Etihad Stadium for Everton long-term; alternatively, waiting for him to become a free agent in a few transfer windows’ time would also be an option.
What about you, Blues: would you like to see Jack Grealish stay and fight for his place under Guardiola, or would you understand/support him making his Everton permanent?
Interestingly, there could be yet more shuffling of the pack in the middle of the park for Pep, as a forgotten man is apparently going to be given another chance to revive his City career…
Kalvin Phillips is reportedly set to be reintegrated into the Manchester City squad
Danny Jones
Long-exiled Manchester City player Kalvin Phillips is reportedly on the verge of being reintegrated into Pep Guardiola’s squad this season.
The ex-Leeds United star, who signed for the Blues back in 2022, has still only made just 16 appearances for the club, but could now be eyeing up a potential renaissance.
Man City have made plenty of signings this year, but with a number of outgoings and several injuries in key positions, it looks like there could be an avenue for the one-time England international to fight his way back into the team.
As per Telegraph Sport‘s Mike McGrath, Kalvin Phillips is set to be reintroduced to City’s 25-man Premier League selection; the question is, can he make it into a first-team XI?
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Kalvin Phillips has chance to resurrect career at the Etihad Stadium after failed loan spells with Ipswich and West Ham
According to McGrath, Phillips will be “given a chance to resurrect his career at the Etihad Stadium” with the meat and potatoes of the 2025/26 campaign still yet to get properly underway.
Now 29, the Yorkshireman is well and truly within the crucial ‘prime’ years as an athlete, and after such an extended period on the sidelines, he’ll be more motivated than anyone to get his career back on track.
The central defensive midfielder – who was formerly considered a key cog in the middle of the park for Leeds – has spent two loan spells away from the Etihad, but neither really worked out for the undeniably talented footballer.
Having joined West Ham for the latter portion of the 23/24 term and spending the last 12 months on loan at struggling Ipswich Town, his time at both clubs was pretty forgettable, punctuated by little more than a couple of unfortunate red cards and more time on the bench.
Speaking to Sky Sports fairly recently, he confessed that the last couple of years have been very difficult and was visibly emotional discussing his struggles since moving to Man City.
It’s also worth noting that Guardiola himself has admitted to feeling “so bad” for Kalvin Phillips’ situation – perhaps why he now looks like he could be given a second chance.
CDM-wise, Rodri and Nico González are considered the go-to options, but Stockport-born Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovačić have also been used in the role.
Once again, although Man City face somewhat of an injury crisis ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend, any prolonged absences could at least see an opportunity arise for the forgotten man.
What do you make of Kalvin Phillips’ chances of being restored to the Manchester City squad and maybe even putting himself back into national team contention ahead of the World Cup?
Emily Sergeant -
4th January 2022 
