The worst of the snowfall in England, according to forecasters, “is over for the time being,” while yellow weather warnings for snow and ice enveloped much of the country.
Overnight, “hundreds and hundreds” of stranded motorists were caught in “endless” miles-long tailbacks due to heavy snowfall, and forecasters predict blizzards will cause “dangerous conditions.”
Train and transport cancellations have been announced, and the Met Office reports that the cold snap is moving south as Storm Larisa continues to batter the country.
It also warns that icy conditions are likely to develop, with snow drifts adding “additional dangers” to the roads.
The Met Office reported that the deepest snowfall was 27 centimeters at Capel Curig in North Wales.
Except for southeast England and western Scotland, the majority of the country was covered by four yellow snow warnings.
The M62 motorway in Greater Manchester and Yorkshire was closed for more than seven hours due to heavy snowfall.
The M62’s situation was likely caused by a rapid accumulation of snow, according to RAC breakdown support spokesman Rod Dennis.
Traffic officers with the Greater Manchester Police reported on Friday morning that illicit use of the hard shoulder and red X lanes had significantly slowed down plowing and gritting operations on the interstate.
According to National Highways North-West, there was once eight miles of eastbound traffic congestion between Rochdale and Saddleworth.
Kelly, one of the drivers, stated, “We’ve been delayed for six hours.”
When asked how many other drivers were on the road and how lengthy the line was, she responded. “There are hundreds upon hundreds upon hundreds.” I believe it goes back 16 miles in one direction, and I have no notion how far it goes forward.
“We were able to keep the furnaces on… My 15-year-old son is with me. I believe he believed I was exaggerating when I said, “We need to bring blankets and coats just in case, so we were prepared.”
Emma Hamilton, a 28-year-old NHS employee from Yorkshire, reported being delayed for eight hours after leaving Manchester. “It honestly feels never-ending at this juncture,” she said.
Multiple downed trees have blocked rail lines between Manchester and Sheffield, preventing trains from running, according to Network Rail, which has also impacted public transportation.
The majority of flights departing Liverpool John Lennon Airport on Friday morning were delayed due to “heavy snowfalls,” and passengers were advised to verify with their airlines for further updates.
East Midlands Airport was closed for approximately three hours, flights were suspended at Birmingham Airport due to snow removal, and Bristol Airport experienced delays.
When will the chilly spell end?
By Friday evening, the weather is expected to clear, only to be displaced by another low-pressure system.
The worst of the snowfall in England has passed, but additional weather warnings will be issued to cover the dangers posed by frost and ice, according to Met Office principal forecaster Jason Kelly.
Numerous yellow weather warnings for snow and ice have been issued by the agency:
• Two ice alerts, one for parts of Northern Ireland and another for southern Scotland, northern and eastern England, parts of the Midlands, and large parts of Wales, are in effect until 10 a.m. on Saturday.
• A snow and ice alert is in place for large portions of Scotland from 3 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday.
Meteorologist Alex Deakin predicts a “continued conflict” between cold and Atlantic air next week.
There will be “colder interludes” and “the potential for more snow” next week, he added. In spring, when conditions are typical “highly variable,” it is not uncommon for the country to experience a cold spell.
The Met Office reports that March is slightly more likely than December to bring snow to the UK.
“50 mph gusts” and “dangerous conditions”
Alex Burkill, a meteorologist with the Met Office, predicted that the worst weather would occur in northwest Wales and northern England, where “gusts of up to 50 miles per hour” will collide with “30 to 40 centimeters of snow.”
It is thought that the only area of western Scotland unaffected by flooding and precipitation is Glasgow and Argyll.
The residents of southern England are anticipated to bear the brunt of the precipitation.
Mr. Burkill stated, “We are likely to experience blizzards and drifting snow due to the combination of heavy snowfall and high winds, which creates additional road hazards.”
“There will be extremely hazardous conditions in areas covered by amber warnings.
“Ideally, you should avoid traveling during these times. But if you must, be aware that travel times may be significantly lengthier.”
Travel Advisories
The number of motorists stranded in the snow in Yorkshire. Particularly in Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, and Hull, has sharply increased, according to the RAC on Friday.
As drivers try to start their cars, breakdowns are also very common in the East Midlands and north of London.
Most highways in the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales regions were “impassable” on Friday morning, according to the Derbyshire Constabulary.
Snowfall closed parts of the A66 in Durham and the A628 Woodhead Pass in South Yorkshire overnight.
