Snow and heavy winds have caused significant travel disruption as temperatures dropped to minus 11°C overnight. Large parts of the UK are still under yellow weather warnings for snow and ice on Thursday, with another “very cold night” expected. Commuters faced travel delays, as rail lines and airport runways were closed. Manchester Airport had to close both its runways on Thursday morning “due to significant levels of snow” having fallen. Teams are working to clear them “as quickly as possible.”
Transport for Wales has also closed some rail lines due to track damage caused by “heavy wind, rain, and snow.” Buses are replacing trains between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog until at least Monday. A fault with the signalling system is causing major disruptions between Crewe and Wilmslow, affecting Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Northern, and Transport for Wales services. Great Western Railway reported that flooding has closed the line between Liskeard and Looe in Cornwall.
Snow in Devon and Cornwall on Wednesday also caused significant travel disruption, with some roads closed and motorists stranded for “long periods of time,” according to a joint statement from Devon and Cornwall Police and Devon County Council Highways. Ploughs have been attached to gritters, which worked into Thursday morning to clear routes in the area. The coldest temperature on Wednesday night was recorded at Shap in Cumbria at minus 11.2°C, with temperatures forecast to drop as low as minus 16°C overnight. A Met Office spokeswoman told PA News Agency, “We are expecting tonight to be another very cold night.”
A yellow warning for snow and ice is in place for northern Scotland until midnight, with the Met Office warning of sleet and snow showers, along with ice on untreated surfaces. Snow and ice warnings have also been issued for Northern Ireland, Cornwall, much of Wales, and parts of northwest England until 11 a.m. With icy conditions persisting, motorists are urged to stick to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted.
Car insurer RAC reported the highest levels of demand for rescues in a three-day period since December 2022. RAC breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson stated, “Cold conditions will last until at least the weekend, so we urge drivers to remain vigilant of the risks posed by ice and, in some locations, snow. Black ice on rural roads can be impossible to spot, leaving very little time to react if driving at speed. Sticking to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted is strongly recommended.”
The UK Health Security Agency has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Sunday. Amber alerts have been extended until January 12, with the agency warning that a rise in deaths is likely. Dr. Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: “We are extending the duration of our Cold-Health Alert, since the Met Office are forecasting that the low temperatures we are seeing will continue further into this week, with snow and icy conditions likely to persist. This weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital that we continue to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable. These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.”
The UK has also experienced widespread flooding in recent days. A danger-to-life flood warning was issued for Barrow upon Soar in Leicestershire, as firefighters rescued dozens of people stranded in rising waters. Several flood warnings and alerts remain in place for England, but hundreds have been removed, and the weather is expected to be drier over the next few days. Two flood alerts remain in place for Wales, while three warnings have been lifted in the last 24 hours.
