UK Weather: Snow To Cause Havoc Travellers Over Weekend

Snow Set To Cause Second Day Of Chaos

Britain faces another day of travel disruption on Saturday as heavy snow that blankets much of the country turns to ice.

Hundreds of passengers were left stranded on Friday as airports across the UK suspended flights, and motorists struggled through blizzards along treacherous roads.

British Airways apologised to people trapped on planes in appalling weather at Heathrow airport as they waited for a slot to take off, and hundreds of others had flights cancelled.

More than 400 flights were cancelled at the airport, and hundreds of people spent the night on the floor as they waited for flights to be rescheduled.

Roads, airports and railtracks will all be affected for a second day on Saturday

The arctic blasts forced nearly 2,000 schools to shut their doors, meaning some sixth-form and college students had their A-level exams postponed.

But the weather heaped misery on more than 10,000 households in South Wales, where residents found themselves with no power for the morning.

There are warnings of further misery today. Darron Burness, the AA's head of special operations, said: "With the snow compacting down and turning icy, we're likely to see treacherous driving conditions throughout the weekend.

"Any fresh snow on top will just add to the problems."

The Met Office is forecasting less snow, but has issued yellow warnings for ice over much of the country. The Highways Agency said its fleet of snow ploughs and gritters will continue to be out in force across the weekend to ensure roads are passable.

Fresh snow is likely to fall across the country, including central London

This morning the M48 Severn Bridge was closed in both directions between junctions one and two because of hazardous conditions.

Rail travellers experienced upheaval on Friday as operators scrapped services.

South West Trains will run an amended timetable on Saturday as a precaution against the heavy snowfall, while the Eurostar will run with speed restrictions because of snow and ice in the UK and northern France. Two services have also been cancelled.

Snow fell across much of the UK, with South Wales experiencing the worst of the weather, forcing the Met Office to issue a "red" severe weather warning.

Heathrow was forced to cancel more than 400 flights on Friday, with more expected on Saturday

Sennybridge in Powys had 10in (25cm) of snow, while many other places across the UK saw between 2in (5cm) and 4in (10cm).

Further snow fell overnight in the Midlands and London, while Suffolk and Essex had up to 1.5in (4cm), Paul Mott, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said.

Heavy snow showers are expected to develop across parts of northern England and eastern parts of Scotland, with up to 4in (10cm) falling locally over the North York Moors.

Temperatures are likely to remain low - down to about -3C (37.4F), and ice is expected to form on any untreated roads.

Close

What's Hot