Forecasters have warned of potentially perilous road conditions today caused by snow freezing, as they predict there is more severe weather to come at the weekend.
“Thundersnow” storms battered large parts of northern Britain yesterday, with up to 23cm (9in) of snow falling in some parts.
Forecasters said that ice poses the major threat today, although some sleet and snow storms could strike.
Met Office forecaster Helen Roberts said: “Ice is going to be the main hazard (overnight) and we could see more snow.
“We could see some more sleet and snow coming in from the north west – the remnants of it could clip the South East and as far south as London.
“The chances are that by the time it reaches the South it will be less intense, but there could be a light dusting of snow over those areas.
“I will imagine there will be more transport problems with the ice potentially being more of a hazard than snow.
“The strength of the wind is making things feel extremely raw.”
A fresh wave of snow and freezing temperatures are expected on Saturday and Sunday as an Arctic blast sweeps in.
Met Office weather expert Marco Petagna told Sky News: “It will turn even colder this weekend as we go into a big northerly airstream.
“There will be frequent snow showers in many parts, and it looks as if it will stay quite cold, certainly into the first half of next week.”
The “thundersnow” storms forced the closure of 300 schools yesterday, while roads ground to a halt and flights were cancelled.
Holidaymakers were left stranded as Manchester Airport closed both of its runways for several hours, while flights were suspended at East Midlands Airport.
More than a dozen rail services between Manchester and Yorkshire were cancelled and main roads in Durham and Yorkshire were shut.
The disruption was so severe that David Cameron announced on Twitter that he has asked for updates on the weather and measures taken to keep transport systems and energy supplies running.
He said: “I have asked for an update on our heavy snow contingency plans.
“The gritters are out and people should listen to warnings.”
The snow was deepest in Sheffield, with 33cm (13in) in some parts of the city.
Elsewhere, there was 23cm (8in) of snow at Tulloch Bridge in Inverness-shire, 21cm (7in) at Glenanne in Armagh and 13cm (4in) in Spadeadam in Cumbria.
Source Article from https://uk.news.yahoo.com/ice-warning-thundersnow-storms-035859062.html
Ice Warning After 'Thundersnow' Storms
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