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England hit by heavy snow storms England hit by heavy snow storms
(about 18 hours 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 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 and Leeds Bradford have reopened after closing earlier and there remains no flights out of Blackpool International.
The snow has begun to move into the Midlands and is expected to continue moving south throughout the day. A man died when two lorries collided in the snow on the M60 in Manchester.
The Met office has issued severe weather warnings across the country. Most of England is covered in snow and 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. Hundreds of schools have been closed because of snow class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/england/8442145.stm">In pictures: Snow hits England
Avoid areas Liverpool John Lennon Airport was closed during various periods of the day and the runway at Birmingham Airport was out of action for two hours, leading to delays and cancellations.
Air passengers have been urged to check their flight status with their airline. The heavy snowfall is set to continue through the night and into Wednesday and motorists have been warned not to travel unless necessary.
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. An emergency severe weather warning, the rarest issued by the Met Office, is in place for Dorset, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Swindon, west Berkshire, Wiltshire and Southampton, which could see up to to 40cm (15.7ins) of snow in some areas by Wednesday.
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. Snow is also expected in London and East Anglia.
She said snow had begun to fall in the south west of England, which was also experiencing severe problems with ice on the roads. Buses suspended
Gritters 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).
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 120 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, 60 in north Staffordshire and more than 140 in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Traffic was at a standstill on the A1 in Newcastle following heavy snowfall Passengers at Manchester Airport discuss the disruption
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. North West Ambulance Service said it could only respond to life-threatening cases due to the poor weather conditions and urged people to stay indoors.
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. In North Yorkshire, a man had a lucky escape when his car was hit by a train at a level crossing in North Yorkshire. It is thought the vehicle skidded in snow near Selby.
Roads on higher ground in Greater Manchester have been described as "poor" in some areas. Bus operator Stagecoach said it had suspended many of its services across Greater Manchester, but was trying to operate on main routes into the city.
A police spokesman said: "Our advice is if you don't have to travel today - please don't. Bus services in Merseyside, Sheffield and Barnsley were also suspended. Bus operator First South Yorkshire said a large number of buses were stuck in the snow.
Roads closed
All proceedings at Manchester Crown Court were cancelled for the day due to the weather and filming was also suspended on Coronation Street.
Heavy snow has caused chaos for motorists
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service warned people not to skate on frozen waters after it's specialist unit was deployed to 13 incidents over the recent cold snap, including the rescue of eight dogs.
Ironically, the city's indoor snow centre, the Chill Factore, was closed due to the snow outside.
Some roads on higher ground in Greater Manchester were described as poor.
A Greater Manchester 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. Elsewhere in the country 10 train services between London and Leeds on the East Coast Main Line were cancelled.
Despite 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."
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.
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 a number of roads were closed due to the snow.
Roads closed It said continuous salt treatment was being undertaken on the motorway network in high risk areas.
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.
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.
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.
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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
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Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather
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