Heavy snow disrupts travel in England and Wales | UK Weather

Heavy overnight snowfall in Wales and northern England has disrupted travel as the new year gets off to a cold start.

The Met Office issued an amber weather warning for snow in northern England on Sunday, as well as seven yellow warnings until Monday, including three for snow and ice in Scotland, Northern Ireland, in Wales and the Midlands, one for snow in the north. England, and two for rain in southern England.

Although snow turned to rain across much of the country, snowdrifts accumulated in the north of England, particularly on higher ground. The Met Office said Bingley, West Yorkshire, saw 17cm of snow up to 11am on Sunday, with Shap in Cumbria and Capel Curig, Conwy both seeing 10cm.

The orange snow warning, covering most of northern England including Leeds, Sheffield and the Lake District, was in force until midnight on Sunday. The Met Office said some rural communities could be isolated, with up to 40cm of snow on the ground above 300 metres, before conditions subsequently improved.

Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Liverpool John Lennon Airports all closed their runways on Sunday morning due to heavy snowfall. Manchester reopened mid-morning after heavy snow at around 7am, while Liverpool reopened at 10.15am.

Leeds Bradford Airport confirmed shortly after 2.15pm that its runway had reopened, but warned disruption would continue throughout the day after a delay accumulated.

Birmingham Airport suspended operations for several hours overnight “for snow removal and safety reasons” but started the morning as planned. Bristol Airport reopened around 11pm after an earlier closure, but warned of delays on Sunday morning.

Several roads have been closed due to snow and flooding across England, National Highways reported, while National Rail warned that disruption would continue until Monday, with line closures and warnings not to not travel on certain northern roads.

Cumbria Police said there was a multi-vehicle collision on the A595 at Bothel and a single-vehicle collision at Kirkstone Pass in the Lake District on Sunday.

The Environment Agency issued 22 flood warnings across the south of England on Sunday evening, particularly in the west.

National Grid reported several power outages across the country on Sunday.

Liverpool Football Club and Manchester United considered postponing their match due to kick off at 4.30pm in Liverpool due to snowfall, but confirmed at midday on Sunday that it would go ahead.

The Health Security Agency’s cold weather health alerts for all of England remain in place ahead of a week of low temperatures. Amber alerts were issued Thursday and will last until Wednesday, meaning an increase in deaths is likely, the agency said.

City councils in London and the south of England have introduced emergency measures for homeless people, including additional accommodation.

The Met Office forecasts that sleet and snow will continue to push north and east on Sunday, falling most heavily in northern England and southern Scotland before changing to flurries in the northern Scotland, arriving Monday.

After a period of freezing rain, the south became milder on Sunday. Frost and icy patches will persist through the start of the week, but Monday and Tuesday will become drier with sunny spells and scattered wintry showers, although temperatures will remain below average.

Met Office deputy chief forecaster Mike Silverstone said: “There is also a risk of snow in the south and possibly central England and Wales towards the middle of the week, so as a system brushes the south, hitting the cold air. . But that still remains uncertain.”