This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/8440643.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
England hit by heavy snow storms England hit by heavy snow storms
(10 minutes later)
Hundreds of schools have been closed and two airports have suspended flights after heavy snowfall across large areas of England.Hundreds of schools have been closed and two airports have suspended flights after heavy snowfall across large areas of England.
Manchester Airport has suspended flights until at least 1200 GMT and there are no flights out of Leeds Bradford.Manchester Airport has suspended flights until at least 1200 GMT and there are no flights out of Leeds Bradford.
The snow has begun to move into the Midlands and is expected to continue moving south throughout the day.The snow has begun to move into the Midlands and is expected to continue moving south throughout the day.
The Met office has issued severe weather warnings across the country.The Met office has issued severe weather warnings across the country.
Up to 4in (10cm) is predicted in parts of the Midlands later and motorists have been warned not to travel unless necessary.Up to 4in (10cm) is predicted in parts of the Midlands later and motorists have been warned not to travel unless necessary.
Avoid areasAvoid areas
Air passengers have been urged to check their flight status with their airline.Air passengers have been urged to check their flight status with their airline.
Flights from Liverpool John Lennon Airport are now running after being suspended earlier. However, 10 flights have been cancelled and others may be subject to delay.Flights from Liverpool John Lennon Airport are now running after being suspended earlier. However, 10 flights have been cancelled and others may be subject to delay.
A Met Office spokeswoman said the snow was heaviest in the north of England but was moving south and would hit Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire later.A Met Office spokeswoman said the snow was heaviest in the north of England but was moving south and would hit Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire later.
She said snow had begun to fall in the south west of England, which was also experiencing severe problems with ice on the roads.She said snow had begun to fall in the south west of England, which was also experiencing severe problems with ice on the roads.
Gritters have tried to open those roads up and, I'll be honest with you, they are really, really poor Police spokesmanGritters have tried to open those roads up and, I'll be honest with you, they are really, really poor Police spokesman
In Devon and Cornwall, more than 100 schools were closed due to heating failures and the cancellation of school bus services. The Eden Project in Cornwall was closed due to snow and ice.In Devon and Cornwall, more than 100 schools were closed due to heating failures and the cancellation of school bus services. The Eden Project in Cornwall was closed due to snow and ice.
The lowest temperature recorded overnight was -10C (14F) at Bournemouth Airport, which remained the coldest part of the country today at -6C (21F).The lowest temperature recorded overnight was -10C (14F) at Bournemouth Airport, which remained the coldest part of the country today at -6C (21F).
More than 100 schools have been closed in Greater Manchester and a similar number in Lancashire. In Merseyside and Cheshire, about 90 were shut.More than 100 schools have been closed in Greater Manchester and a similar number in Lancashire. In Merseyside and Cheshire, about 90 were shut.
In Cumbria, about 140 schools have been closed and more than 50 were shut across Northumberland, County Durham and Tyne and Wear.In Cumbria, about 140 schools have been closed and more than 50 were shut across Northumberland, County Durham and Tyne and Wear.
About 250 schools have been closed across West Yorkshire and nine in north Staffordshire.About 250 schools have been closed across West Yorkshire and nine in north Staffordshire.
Traffic was at a standstill on the A1 in Newcastle following heavy snowfallTraffic was at a standstill on the A1 in Newcastle following heavy snowfall
Bus operator Stagecoach said it had suspended many of its services across Greater Manchester because of the conditions, but was trying to operate on main routes into the city.Bus operator Stagecoach said it had suspended many of its services across Greater Manchester because of the conditions, but was trying to operate on main routes into the city.
Bus services in Sheffield and Barnsley were also suspended. Bus operator First South Yorkshire said a large number of buses were stuck in the snow.Bus services in Sheffield and Barnsley were also suspended. Bus operator First South Yorkshire said a large number of buses were stuck in the snow.
Roads on higher ground in Greater Manchester have been described as "poor" in some areas.Roads on higher ground in Greater Manchester have been described as "poor" in some areas.
A police spokesman said: "Our advice is if you don't have to travel today - please don't.A police spokesman said: "Our advice is if you don't have to travel today - please don't.
"In Oldham and Rochdale - particularly higher ground areas - the snowfall has been really quite heavy."In Oldham and Rochdale - particularly higher ground areas - the snowfall has been really quite heavy.
"Gritters have tried to open those roads up and, I'll be honest with you, they are really, really poor. If you can avoid these areas please do.""Gritters have tried to open those roads up and, I'll be honest with you, they are really, really poor. If you can avoid these areas please do."
Greater Manchester Police also urged the public to only call 999 in an emergency, where there was a threat to life or a crime in progress.Greater Manchester Police also urged the public to only call 999 in an emergency, where there was a threat to life or a crime in progress.
Despite constant gritting we have accumulations of snow on the carriageways but our snow ploughs have been out through the night Jenny Hart, Highways AgencyDespite constant gritting we have accumulations of snow on the carriageways but our snow ploughs have been out through the night Jenny Hart, Highways Agency
Supt Karan Lee said: "I would like to reassure the public that we will attend all emergencies however our response vehicles could also be hindered by the adverse weather conditions and it may take us a little longer to get to you."Supt Karan Lee said: "I would like to reassure the public that we will attend all emergencies however our response vehicles could also be hindered by the adverse weather conditions and it may take us a little longer to get to you."
Police have been dealing with a "multitude" of minor collisions, as well as a number of serious crashes, she told BBC Radio Manchester.Police have been dealing with a "multitude" of minor collisions, as well as a number of serious crashes, she told BBC Radio Manchester.
Elsewhere in the country 10 train services between London and Leeds on the East Coast Main Line have been cancelled.Elsewhere in the country 10 train services between London and Leeds on the East Coast Main Line have been cancelled.
Budget airline easyJet has cancelled eight flights at its operations at Manchester and Luton airports.Budget airline easyJet has cancelled eight flights at its operations at Manchester and Luton airports.
The Highways Agency said the A66 in Cumbria was closed both ways between the junctions with the A1 and A685.The Highways Agency said the A66 in Cumbria was closed both ways between the junctions with the A1 and A685.
Roads closedRoads closed
Lanes were closed on parts of the M6 and M60 in Greater Manchester after a number of lorries jack-knifed. In one incident, one person was trapped.Lanes were closed on parts of the M6 and M60 in Greater Manchester after a number of lorries jack-knifed. In one incident, one person was trapped.
The M58 was shut completely because of snow on the carriageways.The M58 was shut completely because of snow on the carriageways.
Some roads in higher remote areas of Oldham and Rochdale have been described as impassable.Some roads in higher remote areas of Oldham and Rochdale have been described as impassable.
The Highways Agency said continuous salt treatment was being undertaken on the motorway network in high risk areas.The Highways Agency said continuous salt treatment was being undertaken on the motorway network in high risk areas.
Spokeswoman Jenny Hart said there were "very difficult" driving conditions on many roads and urged motorists to avoid travel wherever possible.Spokeswoman Jenny Hart said there were "very difficult" driving conditions on many roads and urged motorists to avoid travel wherever possible.
"Despite constant gritting we have accumulations of snow on the carriageways but our snow ploughs have been out through the night," she said."Despite constant gritting we have accumulations of snow on the carriageways but our snow ploughs have been out through the night," she said.
FORECAST FROM BBC WEATHER FORECAST FROM BBC WEATHER
The enhanced content on this page requires Javascript and Flash Player 9The enhanced content on this page requires Javascript and Flash Player 9

Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy

Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy
Temperature tab onlyTemperature tab only

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather
Are you in the affected areas? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in the affected areas? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions