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.
MCPIX LTDSnow at Manchester Airport this morning[/caption]
MCPIX LTDA traveller braves the wintry conditions arriving at Manchester Airport[/caption]
MCPIX LTDSome runways remain shut in Manchester due to the heavy snow[/caption]
RexThe white stuff in London overnight[/caption]
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.
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.
WINTRY WARNING
Liverpool’s big Premier League clash with Manchester United this afternoon is under threat from the weather.
Severe snow hit Merseyside overnight placing the match in potential doubt, with the travel routes from Manchester also heavily affected.
Liverpool City Council’s Safety Advisory Group will hold a meeting on Sunday to determine whether or not the game can go ahead.
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.
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.
Snow covers the ground at the Angel of the North in Gateshead this morningNNP
Paul MarriottSnow covers the ground and houses after falling overnight in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire[/caption]
GettyA car drives on a snow covered road in the early hours of the morning in Bradford[/caption]
Nick Bull/pictureexclusive.comSnow started to fall at Stonehenge in Wiltshire yesterday evening[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
