Britons are bracing for severe weather disruptions as heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures take hold across the UK on New Year’s Day. The Met Office has issued fresh weather warnings, forecasting up to 30cm of snow for parts of England, Wales, and southern Scotland over the weekend. This weather event is expected to disrupt travel plans for many who are returning home after the holidays.
A yellow weather warning for snow will be active from Saturday afternoon until Monday morning, with authorities advising of potential travel delays and power outages. The Met Office noted, "significant accumulations of snow are possible," leading to concerns over access to key infrastructure. Alongside the snow, they also warned of possible ice, raising the risk of accidents and travel difficulties.
Temperatures are predicted to plunge below freezing, with lows hitting as low as -5 degrees Celsius. The winter weather has already had repercussions for travelers, with many New Year’s Eve celebrations called off as rough weather rolled through. Ice warnings are also set to cover the northern regions, beginning from Wednesday and extending through Thursday morning, affecting local travel conditions.
Airports have not been spared from the effects of the chaotic weather. Major airports such as Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham were forced to close their runways temporarily due to heavy snowfall. By Sunday morning, flights had been grounded, and travelers have been advised to check with airlines for updates. For example, Manchester Airport reported potential delays due to de-icing measures and continued runway clearances.
By the afternoon, as conditions have improved slightly, Leeds Bradford Airport confirmed its runway would remain closed for the time being, raising alarm among its many travelers. National Highways also warned of severe disruptions on the road, particularly across the north of England, where some routes may see blockage from heavy snowfall. The A628 Woodhead Pass, connecting Greater Manchester with South Yorkshire, faced overnight closures due to stranded vehicles, as did key roadways like the A66 and A1 due to multiple accidents and hazardous conditions.
Reported disruptions were not limited to the UK. Across Europe, airports faced similar challenges. At Germany’s Frankfurt Airport, heavy falling snow forced over 120 flight cancellations, with officials citing the complex demands of de-icing planes and maintaining runway safety. Munich’s airport saw 35 flight cancellations, highlighting the regional struggles against the wintry blast.
Other European countries also reported significant delays and cancellations. Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport canceled 68 flights and delayed over 200. Meanwhile, travelers at Spanish airports were not immune, as arrivals from affected European cities suffered lengthy delays.
The UK Health Security Agency also issued health alerts pertaining to the cold weather, emphasizing the risk posed to vulnerable populations. With the snow creating treacherous roadways and cold exposure risks, local authorities have been urging citizens to limit outdoor activities to essentials only. The situation has also led to power outages, impacting hundreds of households, particularly around South Cumbria, where emergency services were dispatched to rescue stranded motorists from icy conditions.
The considerable snowfall accumulation was noted, with regions like Yorkshire reported to have received up to 17cm of snow already. Power utilities acknowledged outages, including 329 households left without electricity, which emergency services are working to restore. For those traveling, the advice is to pack essentials including snacks and phone chargers as delays can extend longer than usual.
The chaotic scene at Manchester Airport drew attention to the difficulties faced by international travelers, particularly one Singapore Airlines flight, which circled for hours only to be diverted to Gatwick Airport after snowy conditions at Manchester prohibited landing.
"They have just been stuck on the plane for over 22 hours," reported one frustrated traveler, urging authorities to improve the handling of adverse weather situations.
The Met Office, stating there will be more rain and snow throughout the week, has put some regions under amber warnings and advised against non-essential travel. They emphasized the need for preparedness as additional snow and icy conditions are anticipated.
With multiple warnings still intact, the bleak situation is compounded by widespread travel disruption across the country. The broad impact of these winter weather events serves as stark reminder of the unpredictability of the British winter.