The Met Office has issued two Amber weather warnings across Greater Manchester, predicting significant snow and ice this weekend. This severe warning indicates potential for disruption, including transport delays, power outages, and possible isolation of rural communities.
The Amber warnings will be active from 6 PM on Saturday, January 4, through midday on January 5. The Met Office has urged residents to take precautions as heavy snow and freezing rain are forecast, making driving treacherous and increasing the risk of accidents.
According to the Met Office, “Snow will become persistent and locally heavy as it pushes south to north across the warning area,” encompassing regions from Newcastle down to Greater Manchester, and as far as Cardiff. They anticipate total snow accumulations of between 3 to 7 cm for most areas, with some higher ground expecting as much as 30 cm.
The Greater Manchester Police and local authorities have echoed the need for caution. They recommend only traveling if absolutely necessary and advise citizens to assist elderly neighbors or those with limited mobility during these challenging conditions.
“Please only travel if absolutely necessary and protect yourself from the cold weather,” public safety officials stated, urging the community to look out for vulnerable individuals.
The impending weather troubles do not just affect travel but also bring the potential for flooding. The combination of snow and rain could lead to increased river levels, with the Environment Agency warning of minor flooding across England. Ben Lukey, Flood Duty Manager, cautioned, “We urge people to remain vigilant over the weekend and advise anyone travelling to be especially careful.”
With temperatures expected to drop significantly, residents are encouraged to prepare themselves for power cuts by gathering essentials like torch lights and batteries. Advice from local agencies highlights essentials for winter, including warm clothing, food, and emergency kits for vehicles.
“Ensure your vehicle windows and mirrors are completely free of snow and ice before you set off,” they recommend. Drivers are encouraged to adapt their driving to the conditions by reducing speed and keeping distance from other vehicles.
More than just individual preparations, transport services across the region, particularly bus and tram operators, are on alert. With the severe weather coinciding with the rollout of the Bee Network, officials admit they face significant challenges this weekend. "There’s potential for adverse weather conditions causing disruption to journeys as we bring the remaining bus services under the local control of the Bee Network,” said Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at Transport for Greater Manchester.
They are making sure staff are deployed across the network, with gritting and snow-removal efforts prioritized. Vaughan stated, “We are well versed at responding to disruption and are working with the wider resilience teams across Greater Manchester.”
Residents and commuters are advised to keep track of the situation through the official channels to stay updated on any road closures or public transport changes. A swift thaw is expected following the snowfall as milder air moves in, but this shift may lead to flooding as meltwater enters already saturated watersheds.
The public is being reminded to stay away from swollen rivers and not attempt to cross flooded areas, as only 30 cm of flowing water is enough to sweep away vehicles.
“In these weather conditions, planning is everything,” one transport official said, emphasizing the importance of being prepared for sudden changes. With multiple agencies working together, there’s hope for minimizing disruptions and ensuring community safety throughout this weather crisis.
Residents are reminded to look out for one another, ensuring people with mobility issues are supported and safe. This collective effort could be key to safely weathering the storm hitting Greater Manchester this weekend.