Severe winter weather, including heavy snow and freezing rain, wreaked havoc across Britain and Ireland this weekend, grounding flights and causing chaos among travelers. Major airports, including Manchester and Liverpool, temporarily closed their runways, leading to significant disruptions.
Flight operations were severely impacted overnight as heavy snowfall was reported stretching from north Wales across Northern England. The Met Office issued two amber warnings, predicting severe snowfall with accumulations of up to 40 centimeters expected in the hardest-hit regions. The warnings began on Saturday evening and lasted through midday Sunday. According to the Met Office, temperatures plunged as low as -11°C, recorded at Loch Glascarnoch, Scotland.
"Our runways are temporarily closed due to heavy snow, as our teams work hard to clear them as quickly as possible," stated Manchester Airport representatives. This announcement came shortly after the airport confirmed delays for every flight since 10:30 PM the previous night. Travelers found themselves stranded as multiple long-haul planes from destinations like New York, Toronto, and Beijing were forced to hold above the airport, with diversions likely to be implemented.
Meanwhile, Bristol Airport faced similar challenges. With flight operations suspended Saturday night, at least 17 flights had to divert to other airports, pushing delays well over five hours for many passengers. The situation affected numerous airlines including easyJet and KLM, which reported cancellations across their schedules as the weather disrupted inbound flights.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also weighed in, issuing Cold-Health Alerts due to heightened health risks presented by the severe cold. Health officials alerted the public about potential risks associated with icy and snowy conditions, urging residents to remain cautious.
North of the border, authorities also warned of hazardous conditions. Taoiseach Simon Harris stated during emergency planning meetings, "There is going to be quite a lot of snow and sleet from around 5 PM this evening until around 7 PM tomorrow evening." These measures illustrated Ireland's comprehensive preparation for the worsening weather conditions, which, according to forecasts, would include substantial rainfall and snowstorms affecting transport networks throughout the country.
Snowfall wasn't confined to major airports; road conditions deteriorated rapidly, prompting advisories from local police departments urging residents to only travel if absolutely necessary. "Please only travel if necessary! Otherwise, you could find yourself having a long cold night as roads close due to the amount of incidents," tweeted Wiltshire Police, echoing warnings from several police agencies advising reduced travel during fierce conditions.
Reports of road accidents, including collisions on the M5 between Bridgwater and Taunton, highlighted growing concerns for traveler safety as conditions worsened rapidly. The dangers were compounded by freezing rain, which often leads to extremely slick surfaces making it difficult to navigate safely.
Many communities began to feel the effects of the harsh winter weather, with the Met Office anticipating continued snowfall throughout Sunday. Their predictions called for light rain alongside falling temperatures and possible rain moving northeastwards across much of the UK.
Local governments were preparing for the anticipated chaos as public transport systems braced for disruption. Met Eireann officials warned of rough voyages across Ireland's roadways, especially for public transport as snow and ice hazards prompted many coaches and buses to suspend services until conditions improved.
Meanwhile, power companies prepared for outages, with widespread power cuts expected due to the severe weather front making it difficult to maintain electricity distribution lines safely.
Schools across regions of England and Wales warned of possible closures as the cold snap persisted, and authorities alerted communities to keep vigilant about weather warnings guiding them toward safer practices during this heavily disruptive weather event.
Experts recommend keeping emergency kits handy when venturing outdoors, ensuring vehicles are stocked with basic supplies, and taking added precautions with pets. Animal welfare groups issued advisories concerning the dangers of exposing pets to extreme temperatures and urged residents not to treat roads and pavements with harmful chemicals, particularly during snow and ice hazards.
The weekend's meteorological events reflect the larger resilience required by communities as they navigate the challenges presented by unpredictable winter storms, demonstrating collective responses and preparedness across Britain and Ireland.