The UK is in the grip of a winter storm as heavy overnight snowfall has led to significant travel disruption across the country. Collisions and stranded vehicles have forced the closure of key roads in northern England, while rail services have been cancelled. Major airports, including Manchester, Liverpool John Lennon, and Leeds Bradford, faced temporary closures due to the weather conditions, causing delays and cancellations for passengers.
The Met Office has issued two amber weather warnings for parts of England and Wales, with up to 40cm of snow expected in some areas before conditions ease later on Sunday. Rural communities are at risk of being cut off, and National Highways has warned of up to 25cm of snow affecting roads in the north of England.
The A628 Woodhead Pass and the A66 in County Durham and Cumbria are among the key roads that have been closed due to the snow, while the A1 southbound in South Yorkshire was shut following a collision. Traffic on the A1M in County Durham was also halted temporarily due to stranded vehicles on the carriageway.
Airports have been working to clear runways and de-ice aircraft to resume operations, but delays are expected to continue. National Rail has reported disruptions on various routes, with Avanti West Coast trains to and from Liverpool Lime Street cancelled due to depot issues.
In addition to the snow warnings, a new yellow rain warning has been issued for southern England, raising the risk of flooding as milder temperatures set in. The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings for several areas across southern England, while flood alerts are in place for more than 100 locations.
As the winter weather continues to impact the UK, residents are urged to take precautions and stay updated on the latest weather alerts and travel advisories.