UK weather: Travel chaos as airports closed due to heavy snow & -11C chill – with freezing rain & more flurries to come
BRITS are facing more travel chaos today with a number of major airports closing their runways due to heavy snow.
The UK was buffeted with wintry weather overnight and many across the country will be waking up to the white stuff this morning after sub-zero temperatures hit.
The coldest spot last night was Loch Glascarnoch in Scotland where the mercury fell to a bone-chilling -11C.
Now, Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport have closed a number of their runways due to snow.
It comes after Birmingham Airport suspended operations for several hours overnight “for snow clearing and safety reasons” but said it was on schedule for “business as usual” to start the morning.
The Manchester Airport team said it was experiencing “heavy snow” and that its teams are working hard to clear the runways “as quickly as possible”.
“The safety of our passengers is our top priority, and we appreciate your patience during this time,” the airport added.
“Please check with your airline for the latest flight information and allow extra travel time today.
“We will update you as soon as possible. Thank you.”
One disgruntled passenger wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Sitting on a plane for nearly two hours now.
“People getting annoyed. Expect another hour before we leave.”
Manchester Airport told the BBC they have had a number of diversions this morning as planes have been unable to land – with many going to London.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport remains open despite the runway closure.
But travellers are advised to contact their airlines for the latest flight information.
A rare amber health alert is already in place for all of England as officials fear the weather will place a strain on medical services.
Yellow weather warnings have also been upgraded to amber over fears rural communities will be cut off.
A Met Office amber warning for snow and ice is still active but is due to end at midday today.
Snow and freezing rain is still likely to affect transport while untreated surfaces risk slips and falls, according to the forecaster.
More sleet and snow is “likely” this morning with a spell of “freezing rain” following in its wake, meteorologists said.
Travel conditions are expected to be hazardous before milder air moves across all areas.
Much of the warning area is expected to see 3-7cm of snow, with 15-30cm on higher ground in Wales and the southern Pennines.
This warning applies to Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Powys, Shropshire, Staffs, Warwickshire and East Riding of Yorkshire.
The second amber warning for snow, covering most of northern England including Leeds, Sheffield and the Lake District, is in place until midnight on Sunday.
The Met Office said some rural communities could be cut off, with up to 40cm of snow on ground above 300m before conditions ease later on Sunday.
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THE massive clash between Liverpool and Manchester United today is firmly in DOUBT.
The North West is bracing for more severe weather just days after being hit with major flooding.
Torrential rain saw trains cancelled, roads closed and some people even evacuating their homes.
Severe snow hit Merseyside overnight placing the match in potential doubt, with the travel routes from Manchester also heavily affected.
With snow and ice now thawing and more heavy rain expected, the Met Office has issued an amber weather warning across the region.
They state that “significant disruption” is expected from 9pm GMT on Saturday night.
The warning will remain in force throughout Sunday until 23.59pm GMT at least.
While it would be relatively easy to make the pitch playable, the bigger risk would be to the tens of thousands of home and away supporters heading to the stadium.
A Safety Advisory Group meeting is likely to take place on Sunday at some point.
Officials from both clubs and representatives from Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council are expected to be present.
It would be Liverpool’s second postponed match this season after Storm Darragh caused the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park to be called off in December.
As well as the amber warnings, the Met Office has issued yellow warnings covering almost the entire country across the weekend.
A yellow warning for snow and ice covers most of the remaining parts of England and Wales until midnight, while a similar warning covers large parts of Northern Ireland from 6pm on Sunday.
The north of Scotland is covered by a yellow warning for ice until 10am on Sunday, with another for snow and ice in the east of central Scotland until 6am on Monday.
There is also a yellow warning for rain covering much of Wales and the West Midlands on Sunday from 6am to 9pm.
Bristol Airport reopened around 11pm on Saturday after an earlier closure but warned of delays this morning due to aircraft being out of position.
Birmingham and Bristol Airports as well as Belfast International Airport urged passengers to check with their airline.
Met Office Five-day forecast
Today
Cold in the north, with snow and sleet spreading across northern England and into southern Scotland.
Wet further south, with freezing rain affecting parts of north Wales and central England, before turning drier and milder in the far south later.
Tonight
Unsettled with further snow across the north, and heavy rain spreading eastwards in the south.
Turning colder overnight, with snow returning to parts of England and Wales by Monday morning.
Monday
Rain and snow clears eastwards, with brighter skies to follow.
Staying cold in brisk northerly winds, with hail, sleet and snow showers expected throughout the day.
Gales in the northeast.
Tuesday to Thursday
Remaining cold with a mixture of sunny spells and wintry showers, these most frequent in the north and northwest.
A more prolonged period of snow in the south on Wednesday.
National Highways has a severe weather alert in place for snow for England until midnight tonight.
They have warned that up to 25cm of snow could hit roads in northern England.
This includes the A628 Woodhead Pass, which connects Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire through the Peak District and was closed overnight in both directions between the A616 at Flouch and the A57 at Hollingworth, because of snow.
The A66 in County Durham and Cumbria was also closed between the M6 and A1M because of the conditions.
As well as snow, National Highways warned rain may initially fall on frozen ground and lead to ice, with areas of high ground, including the Cotswolds and Peak District, most at risk.