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More snow to fall across UK with travel disruption expected More snow to fall across UK with travel disruption expected
(about 1 hour later)
Large parts of the UK were hit by heavy snowfall on Sunday morning as temperatures dipped and the Met Office warned of widespread travel disruption. Large parts of the UK will continue to see heavy snowfall on Sunday as temperatures drop and forecasters warn of widespread travel disruption.
An amber weather warning will remain in place for a central swath of the UK until 6pm, with up to 28cm of snow recorded in Wales. The rain, sleet and snow is set to continue for the rest of the day and the Met Office said rural communities could be cut off as roads become hazardous.
The Met Office warned that rural communities could be cut off as roads become hazardous, with up to 20cm (8in) of snow expected in some places on Sunday.
Heavy snow is expected to fall over the Midlands and Wales in the morning, thinning into lighter showers as the day progresses.
An amber warning of snow came into force at 4am, affecting Wales, the Midlands and parts of northern and eastern England.
The Met Office said: “Road, rail and air travel delays are likely, as well as stranding of vehicles and public transport cancellations. There is a good chance that some rural communities could become cut off.”
Significant traffic has already been reported in Leicestershire, Worcestershire and Bedfordshire, while snow has been falling heavily in Birmingham city centre.Significant traffic has already been reported in Leicestershire, Worcestershire and Bedfordshire, while snow has been falling heavily in Birmingham city centre.
Flights have been suspended at Birmingham airport while the runway is cleared, leaving passengers facing delays, while a northbound section of the M1 has been closed in Leicestershire due to numerous vehicles being stranded. Police forces in Wales and across the Midlands have urged motorists not to travel unless absolutely necessary as they deal with an increased number of calls. A northbound section of the M1 has been closed in Leicestershire due to numerous vehicles being stranded.
Police forces in Wales and across the Midlands have urged motorists not to travel unless absolutely necessary as they deal with an increased number of calls. Flights have been suspended at Birmingham airport while the runway is cleared, leaving passengers facing delays. “The runway is still being cleared as snow continues to fall heavily. We apologies to passengers but safety is our priority,” the airport tweeted. Other airports across the country advised customers to leave extra time for their journey, and to check with airlines for delays and cancellations before travelling.
Persistent heavy snowfall was expected in the region throughout the morning, leading the Met Office to issue an amber weather warning that will be in place until 6pm. Up to 10cm is expected to build up quite widely, with 15-20cm in some spots, raising the prospect of roads becoming impassable. The Met Office said: “Road, rail and air travel delays are likely, as well as stranding of vehicles and public transport cancellations. There is a good chance that some rural communities could become cut off.”
The amber alert was accompanied by a yellow warning of strong winds for parts of eastern England, London and the south-east, the south-west and Wales that could bring short-term loss of power and other services as well as transport disruption. Parts of Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland were expected to be spared snow and to see a bright clear day on Sunday, with very cold temperatures. Only a few places in the south will have temperatures in the double figures, with Plymouth set to hit 10 degrees celsius.
If you have been affected by extreme weather you can tell us about it using our encrypted form, or by sending your pictures and videos to the Guardian securely via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44(0)7867825056.If you have been affected by extreme weather you can tell us about it using our encrypted form, or by sending your pictures and videos to the Guardian securely via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44(0)7867825056.
We will feature some of your contributions in our reporting.We will feature some of your contributions in our reporting.
Though we’d like to hear from you, your safety and security is most important. When responding please make sure you put your safety and the safety of others first. Extreme weather events can be very unpredictable and carry very real risks.Though we’d like to hear from you, your safety and security is most important. When responding please make sure you put your safety and the safety of others first. Extreme weather events can be very unpredictable and carry very real risks.
Accumulations of 10cm (4in) of snow were expected in the warning areas, while 15-20cm (6in-8in) was possible in the worst-hit areas. Heavy snow across the middle of the country is expected to lighten as the day progresses, with skies clearing by Monday morning. The Met Office warned that areas would start next week with very cold temperatures and severe frost giving the risk of ice compacted from the snow.
The amber alert was accompanied by a yellow warning of strong winds up to 80mph for parts of eastern England, London and the south-east, the south-west and Wales that could bring short-term loss of power and other services as well as transport disruption on Sunday.
Highways England issued advice for drivers travelling through the north-west and north east of England and the Midlands to check the forecast and road conditions before they travel.Highways England issued advice for drivers travelling through the north-west and north east of England and the Midlands to check the forecast and road conditions before they travel.
It said motorists should prepare for any eventuality by carrying “warm clothing, food, drink, required medication, boots, shovel and a torch”. It said motorists should prepare for any eventuality by carrying “warm clothing, food, drink, required medication, boots, shovel and a torch”. The authority tweeted that traffic had stopped on the M1 northbound between J16 and J17 due to numerous breakdowns and stranded vehicles.
Eighteen thousand homes were reconnected after losing power as a result of stormy weather on Friday, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said. Traffic Scotland advised drivers to increase their stopping distances in icy conditions, and North Wales police, Leicestershire police and the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) urged motorists not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
Highways England advised road users across the Midlands and northern England to check the forecast and routes before heading out as a section of the M1 was closed. The authority tweeted that traffic had stopped on the M1 northbound between J16 and J17 due to numerous breakdowns and stranded vehicles.
North Wales police, Leicestershire police and the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) urged motorists not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
The CMPG tweeted: “Lots of snow overnight and it’s still falling, difficult driving conditions across the motorway network & region’s roads please only travel if absolutely necessary, make sure your car is fit to travel in & take extra clothes, drinks and snacks in case you get stuck or delayed.”The CMPG tweeted: “Lots of snow overnight and it’s still falling, difficult driving conditions across the motorway network & region’s roads please only travel if absolutely necessary, make sure your car is fit to travel in & take extra clothes, drinks and snacks in case you get stuck or delayed.”