BRITONS are facing even more travel chaos today after a number of major airports closed their runways due to heavy snow.
The UK was gripped by wintry weather overnight and many across the country woke up in the white stuff this morning after temperatures plunged below freezing.
8
Snow this morning at Manchester AirportCredit: MCPIX LTD
8
Passenger braves winter conditions arriving at Manchester AirportCredit: MCPIX LTD
8
Some runways remain closed in Manchester due to heavy snowCredit: MCPIX LTD
8
White stuff in London overnight Credits: Rex
The coldest place last night was Loch Glascarnoch in Scotland, where the mercury dropped to -11 degrees Celsius.
Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport closed several runways this morning due to snow.
It came after Birmingham Airport suspended operations for several hours overnight “for snow clearing and safety reasons”, but said it was on schedule to resume “business as usual” in the morning.
Manchester Airport’s team said there was “heavy snow” but the runways have since reopened.
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the airport warned that some departures and arrivals “may still experience delays while teams work to de-ice aircraft and clear walkways”.
“Please check with your airline for the latest flight information and allow for additional travel time today,” the post added.
One disgruntled passenger earlier tweeted: “I’ve been sitting on the plane for almost two hours.
“People are getting nervous. Expect another hour before we leave.”
Manchester Airport told the BBC it had a number of diversions this morning as planes were unable to land – with many going to London.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport remains open despite earlier runway closures, but delays are still affecting passengers.
Those traveling abroad or returning to the UK are advised to contact their airlines for the latest flight information.
A rare amber health warning is already in place for the whole of England as officials fear the weather will strain medical services.
A week of frost and snow hits Britain TODAY as temperatures drop to -8C with yellow warnings for ALL of England
Yellow weather warnings have also been upgraded to yellow amid fears rural communities will be cut off.
The Met Office’s yellow warning for snow and ice is still active but should end at midday today.
Freezing snow and rain are still likely to affect transportation, while there is a risk of slips and falls on untreated surfaces, according to the forecaster.
More sleet and snow is “likely” this morning with periods of “freezing rain”, forecasters said.
Travel conditions are expected to be hazardous before milder air moves through 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 the East Riding of Yorkshire.
A second amber warning for snow, covering much 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 the ground above 300m before conditions ease later on Sunday.
Will Liverpool v Manchester United be postponed?
Today’s huge clash between Liverpool and Manchester United is still in doubt.
Heavy snow hit Merseyside overnight potentially putting the game in doubt, with travel routes from Manchester also badly affected.
However, a Safety Advisory Group meeting was held this morning to assess weather and travel conditions.
A statement from Liverpool FC said: “At this stage the game is planned to proceed as normal and every effort is being made to allow the game to continue.
“A further safety meeting will be held again at midday to assess the latest conditions. We will inform fans as soon as we can.”
With the snow and ice now melting and more heavy rain expected, the Met Office has issued an amber weather warning across the region.
They say “significant disruption” is expected from 21:00 GMT on Saturday night.
The warning will remain in place until at least 23:59 GMT on Sunday.
Although it would be relatively easy to make the pitch fit for play, the greater risk would be the tens of thousands of home and away fans heading towards the stadium.
In addition to the yellow warnings, the Met Office issued yellow warnings covering almost the entire country over the weekend.
A yellow warning for snow and ice covers most of the rest 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 east central Scotland until 6am on Monday.
There is also a yellow warning for rain to affect much of Wales and the West Midlands from 6am to 9pm on Sunday.
Bristol Airport reopened at around 11pm on Saturday after an earlier closure, but was warned of delays this morning as planes were not in position.
Birmingham and Bristol airports, as well as Belfast International Airport, urged travelers to check with their airlines.
Met Office Five day forecast
Today
Cold in the north, with snow and sleet spreading across N England and S Scotland.
Wet further south, with freezing rain affecting parts of N Wales and central England, before later becoming drier and milder in the far south.
Tonight
Unsettled with continued snow in the north, and heavy rain spreading eastwards in the south.
It turns colder overnight with snow returning to parts of England and Wales by Monday morning.
Monday
The rain and snow are clearing to the east, and clearer skies will follow.
Staying cold with strong northerly winds, with hail, sleet and snow showers expected during the day.
Storms in the northeast.
From Tuesday to Thursday
It remains cold with a mix of sunny spells and wintry showers, which are most common in the north and northwest.
On Wednesday, a longer snow period in the south.
National Highways has issued a severe weather warning due to snow for England until midnight tonight.
They warned that up to 25cm of snow could fall on roads in northern England.
This includes the A628 Woodhead Pass, which links 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, due to snow.
The A66 in County Durham and Cumbria is also closed between the M6 and A1M due to the conditions.
As well as the snow, the National Highways Agency warned that rain could initially fall on frozen ground and lead to ice, with high ground including the Cotswolds and the Peak District most at risk.
8
Snow covers the ground on the Angel of the North in Gateshead this morningCredit: NNP
8
Snow covers the ground and houses after falling overnight in Peterborough, CambridgeshireCredit: Paul Marriott
8
A car drives down a snow-covered road in the early hours of the morning in Bradford Credit: Getty
8
Snow started to fall at Stonehenge in Wiltshire yesterday eveningCredit: Nick Bull/pictureexclusive.com
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education