Poor weather conditions forecast to stay in New Zealand

earchers will resume their efforts to reach a crashed helicopter on Fox Glacier on Sunday morning, but bad weather could again hamper their attempts to recover the victims' bodies.

The Alpine Adventures chopper went down in a "heavily crevassed" area late on Saturday morning, killing all seven on board.



Flown by local pilot Mitch Gameren, the helicopter was carrying six tourists: two Australians and four people from the United Kingdom.

Weather prevented emergency services from reaching the site Saturday, and police were planning a recovery operation on Sunday morning.

But poor weather was forecast to continue, and visibility was likely to be poor, Metservice meteorologist Emma Blades said.

"It's going to be wet and fairly windy as well ... [It] won't be a very clear day, that's for sure

How much snow do we get a year in UK?

The UK gets on average 23.7 days of snow fall or sleet a year (1981 - 2010). Most of this is snow falling on higher ground where temperatures are lower.










Much of this snow fall does not settle, and the figures for snow on the ground (snow lying) are much lower. On average across the UK there's only 15.6 days a year when snow is on the ground, compared to 26.2 days in Scotland. Again, most of the snow on the ground can be found in mountainous areas.

Six years of extreme weather in UK

2015




















Hottest July day

since records began: 36.7°C at Heathrow airport on 1 July





Hottest November day

since records began: 22.4°C at Trawsgoed, Wales on 1 November





Hottest November night

since 2005: 16.1C in Murlough, Co. Down





Coldest July day



in 21 years: parts of Scotland reached 1°C on the 19th July





Shaping up to be:

the UK's windiest year. 2015 is on track to surpass 1995's record of 22 calm days













2014













Wettest winter

since records began in 1766, with 435mm of precipitation





Stormiest winter

in more than 20 years, with at least 12 major winter storms





Hottest year ever

at a mean temperature of 9.9°C, although 2015 may beat this














2013





Coldest March

ever recorded in the UK - a temperature of 2.2°C








2012










Wettest summer in more than a century
Second-wettest year on record 1,330.7mm of average rainfall puts this year just 6.6mm below the record set in 2000
Warmest March in more than 50 years


2011

Hottest October day in 100 years, as Gravesend experiences a balmy 29.9°C
Hottest April since records began - at 10.7°C


2010



















Coldest December since 1890. Average UK temperature of -0.7°C, although parts of Scotland were far colder at -21.3°C
Second-warmest year ever recorded (2014 is so far the warmest)


2009

Rainiest day ever recorded, in Seathwaite, Cumbria. The same early-November storm also holds records for the highest two-day, three-day and four-day rainfall!

What's going on with the snow?

With snow falling in northern parts of the UK, temperatures set to plummet below freezing and gales of 70mph, weather forecasters have issued a stark warning that winter is coming.

High ground in Snowdonia, the Peak District, the Pennines and Scotland were coated in snow today as icy Arctic winds brought cold weather to northern Britain.

Up to four inches (10cm) is expected to fall overnight, and temperatures will fall to minus 3C.

The cold snap is a marked contrast to the recent mild weather which led to it being the second mildest start to November on record, and the Met Office has issued weather warnings for snow or wind for most of the UK until tomorrow evening.

Sean Penston, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: "It is the first significant cold spell in the south this year."

Temperatures plunge as snow falls in the UK overnight

Parts of the UK saw a flurry of snow overnight at the start of a wintry weekend which could see temperatures plummet to minus 5C.

Snow showers were reported in parts of Scotland, Wales, northern England and the Midlands.

Around 3am, North Yorkshire Police tweeted: "Snow is falling and settling in places."

The force advised motorists to allow extra time for journeys.

The risk of snow showers will lessen throughout the day.

But although southern areas of the UK will see highs of 6C today, parts of Scotland will struggle to rise above freezing, with temperatures across the country lower than normal for this time of year.

Billy Payne, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: "It will be a cold day, especially by recent standards, but even by the November average it will be cold."

The cold snap comes in marked contrast to the recent mild weather which led to it being the second mildest start to November on record, and the Met Office has issued weather warnings for snow, wind or ice for most of the UK.

There will be widespread frosts tonight and into Sunday with 65mph gales due to hit Devon, Cornwall and west Wales.

"The combination of rain, sleet and snow and dropping temperatures will also lead to a risk of ice in places, particularly over high level routes on Saturday morning," said a spokesman from the Met Office.

Frank Saunders, the Met Office's chief operational meteorologist, added: "The Met Office is forecasting strong winds and some snow for this weekend which means there is the likelihood of some difficult driving conditions and possible disruption to transport.

"With this in mind, if you have travel plans over the weekend, we'd advise that you keep an eye on the forecast and warnings for your area."

But the cold spell is not set to last, with warmer weather predicted from Monday and rain spreading eastwards as temperatures rise.

Snow storms and icy blizzards sweep in across the UK

Snow showers reported in parts of Scotland, Wales, northern England and the Midlands



Snow storms could hit the country from Friday as forecasters issue snow and wind warnings




Things are looking up for parts of the UK today, with bright, sunny weather across most inland areas, the Met Office say.

Travel not recommended near Wakaw, Kenaston due to Airports & Highways in Saskatchewan impacted by icy conditions; How hard this winter will be in coming days?

Highways Hotline says travel is not recommended between Regina and Saskatoon this morning.

The Ministry of Highways is reporting zero visibility, drifting snow and icy, slippery sections near Kenaston on Highway 11.

Travel is also not recommended near Wakaw. Drivers can expect reduced visibility, slush, icy slippery sections and loose and drifting snow.

Meanwhile, Air Canada has issued a travel alert for the Saskatoon and Regina airports. While all departures and arrivals are on time this morning, the airline is waiving its change fees for passengers who can't make it to their flights on time this morning