Britons have been warned to expect further travel disruption after fresh snow fell across large parts of northern England overnight, leaving many areas covered in ice and slush. Gritters and snow ploughs were deployed on Friday morning as winter tightened its grip on the UK.
Several centimetres of snow fell on Greater Manchester, leading to dozens of school closures and delays on bus services operated by Stagecoach. Manchester airport remained open at 7am after reopening late on Thursday, following the 'thundersnow' storm that grounded flights for several hours.
The Met Office has issued severe weather alerts for Yorkshire, north-west and north-east England, warning that icy conditions and heavy snow pose health risks to vulnerable patients. Yellow warnings are in place for much of the rest of England. Even parts of Greater London saw a light dusting of snow, though far less than the 23cm recorded in some areas on Thursday.
Met Office forecaster Helen Roberts said ice would be the main hazard on Friday. 'We could see some more sleet and snow coming in from the north-west, with remnants possibly clipping the south-east and London,' she said. 'The strength of the wind is making things feel extremely raw.'
In Scotland, snow covered hills and high ground, with icy patches elsewhere. Severe gale force winds are expected on the west coast and far north on Friday evening, with temperatures falling below zero. The disruption follows Thursday's thundersnow storms, which forced 300 schools to close, halted roads, and cancelled flights. Manchester airport closed both runways for several hours, and flights were suspended at East Midlands airport.
Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted that he had asked for updates on the weather and measures to keep transport and energy supplies running. 'The gritters are out and people should listen to warnings,' he said. A fierce Arctic blast is forecast for Saturday and Sunday, bringing snow across the north and down the south-west and east coasts of England and East Anglia.
