Snow and a centimeter of snow were predicted across northeast England on Thursday night, with temperatures dipping as low as minus 3C in some towns – and even lower in the countryside.
Travelers and those in frail health have been warned of disruption as freezing temperatures grip Britain ice rain and ice,
Severe weather warnings are in place across the UK and experts say more warnings are likely to be issued over the next few days.
Frozen grass in London’s Bushey Park on Thursday
(Reuters)
Health chiefs on Wednesday issued a Level 3 cold weather alert for the whole of England until 9am on Friday. This means the health of vulnerable patients is at greater risk, and the delivery of services may be disrupted.
Manchester Airport was early on Thursday forced to close both its runways For nearly three hours, while workers cleared the heavy snowfall, dozens of flights were canceled.
Nationwide, temperatures dropped to minus 10 degrees Celsius in some parts of the UK from Wednesday to Thursday.
A yellow warning of snow is in force for Thursday and Friday for Cornwall, most of Wales, Stoke-on-Trent, Greater Manchester, the north-east, northern Scotland and northern Northern Ireland.
and persistent heavy rain, inland winters, were forecast to move south across much of Scotland.
Elsewhere, the cold showers were mainly confined to the coasts, with very fine, cool weather elsewhere, the Met Office said. Strong winds in the north and east increased the cold further.
Paul Gundersen, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said; “Cold air continues to blow across the UK from the north and many areas have seen some snow, chilly weather and overnight frost.
“A national severe weather warning has been issued for western England, Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, with more warnings likely to be issued over the coming days.”
Snow clears snow from airfields
(Reuters)
A frozen lake in Aviemore, Scotland
(Getty Images)
Manchester Airport tweeted: “Following a period of heavy snowfall, we have temporarily closed both runways. Health and safety will always be our top priority and operations will resume as soon as possible.”
traveler nathan booth Tweeted He was on a plane to Birmingham because of “the snow falling for the past hour”.
It was snowing in Newcastle upon Tyne on Thursday afternoon.
Met Office forecasters predicted Thursday night would be very cold with hard frosts overnight, with temperatures as low as minus 3C in towns and cities in central Scotland and less in the countryside, with isolated freezing fog.
Alex Deakin said there would be snow in northwest England and northern Wales, moving south and becoming more scattered.
He said the temperature is set to drop again on Friday evening, leading to another cold night.
A few freezing fog patches will persist over the weekend but the severe cold is about to subside and next week will be dry.
Parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to be hotter than the southeast of England on Sunday as a gradual light breeze from the west.