Amber warning for snow storms issued for parts of North Yorkshire

The Met Office has issued an amber warning for snow storms which affects parts of North Yorkshire.

The warning for “strong winds bringing blizzard conditions” and up to 40cm of snow applies to an area stretching from Stoke-on-Trent to Durham.

The warning lasts for 21 hours from 3pm on Thursday – and “significant disruption” to transport, power lines and phone network coverage is likely.

The amber area includes Harrogate and the western side of North Yorkshire. York and the rest of the county are covered by a less severe yellow warning for snow and ice.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has placed all regions of England under a level 3 cold weather alert – lasting until midnight on Thursday.

Agostinho Sousa, a consultant at UKHSA, said the cold weather could have a “serious impact” on people’s health, particularly the elderly, while Age UK has urged people to check in with their older neighbours and relatives.