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Snow and strong winds hit northern parts of UK Snow and strong winds hit northern parts of UK
(2 months later)
Heavy snowfall and gale-force winds caused traffic disruption and delays as severe weather conditions returned to the UK less than a fortnight after the last cold snap.Heavy snowfall and gale-force winds caused traffic disruption and delays as severe weather conditions returned to the UK less than a fortnight after the last cold snap.
Snow fell overnight in Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England, with up to 4in (10cm) on higher ground. Manchester airport and Belfast city airport were experiencing delays on Tuesday morning and more than 50 schools closed in Northern Ireland and Scotland.Snow fell overnight in Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England, with up to 4in (10cm) on higher ground. Manchester airport and Belfast city airport were experiencing delays on Tuesday morning and more than 50 schools closed in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
More heavy snow and gale-force winds, reaching up to 120mph in Scotland, were expected with experts warning that temperatures were likely to continue to drop throughout the country as the week progresses. The Met Office said there was a 70% probability of snow or icy conditions hitting parts of England by Friday.More heavy snow and gale-force winds, reaching up to 120mph in Scotland, were expected with experts warning that temperatures were likely to continue to drop throughout the country as the week progresses. The Met Office said there was a 70% probability of snow or icy conditions hitting parts of England by Friday.
The Met Office issued an amber warning for snow – urging people to be prepared – for much of Scotland, north-west England, Yorkshire and Humber and East Midlands. A yellow "be aware" alert for high winds was in place in many regions including Orkney and Shetland, the Highlands and Strathclyde.The Met Office issued an amber warning for snow – urging people to be prepared – for much of Scotland, north-west England, Yorkshire and Humber and East Midlands. A yellow "be aware" alert for high winds was in place in many regions including Orkney and Shetland, the Highlands and Strathclyde.
Scotland was expected to experience the worst of the weather with frequent snow showers, and blizzards in the Highlands. The Scottish government transport minister, Keith Brown, urged travellers to take precautions.Scotland was expected to experience the worst of the weather with frequent snow showers, and blizzards in the Highlands. The Scottish government transport minister, Keith Brown, urged travellers to take precautions.
"Looking at the latest Met Office forecast for frequent and at times heavy snow showers combined with gales force winds will mean a testing journey for many this evening [Tuesday] and also, crucially, during rush hour tomorrow," he said."Looking at the latest Met Office forecast for frequent and at times heavy snow showers combined with gales force winds will mean a testing journey for many this evening [Tuesday] and also, crucially, during rush hour tomorrow," he said.
"We would expect to see difficult conditions emerging on our roads, as well as the potential for disruption to all modes of transport. I would again ask the public to stay up to date with live travel information and local radio reports. They can also access the Traffic Scotland website, internet radio bulletins and variable message signs, which are being used to provide up-to-date information as the situation develops.""We would expect to see difficult conditions emerging on our roads, as well as the potential for disruption to all modes of transport. I would again ask the public to stay up to date with live travel information and local radio reports. They can also access the Traffic Scotland website, internet radio bulletins and variable message signs, which are being used to provide up-to-date information as the situation develops."
Strong winds caused a lorry to overturn on the M74 south of junction 20 in Dumfries and Galloway, and police across the country urged drivers to take care on the roads. Along the coast, waves up to 10 metres crashed into into north-west Scotland, causing disruptions to ferry crossings and with the potential to break over sea defences.Strong winds caused a lorry to overturn on the M74 south of junction 20 in Dumfries and Galloway, and police across the country urged drivers to take care on the roads. Along the coast, waves up to 10 metres crashed into into north-west Scotland, causing disruptions to ferry crossings and with the potential to break over sea defences.
In Northern Ireland, snow affected many areas, leading to treacherous road conditions and school closures, with the Newry and Armagh areas worst hit. Up to 4in (10cm) of snow fell in some areas, especially on higher ground. Several accidents were reported and the Roads Service advised drivers to take extra care. All ferry sailings between Rathlin Island and Ballycastle were cancelled.In Northern Ireland, snow affected many areas, leading to treacherous road conditions and school closures, with the Newry and Armagh areas worst hit. Up to 4in (10cm) of snow fell in some areas, especially on higher ground. Several accidents were reported and the Roads Service advised drivers to take extra care. All ferry sailings between Rathlin Island and Ballycastle were cancelled.
The weather in Northern Ireland was expected to remain very cold with high winds in exposed areas.The weather in Northern Ireland was expected to remain very cold with high winds in exposed areas.
In England, the north and the east bore the worst of the weather, with snow predicted on high ground of the South Pennines and Lincolnshire, with an amber warning in force.In England, the north and the east bore the worst of the weather, with snow predicted on high ground of the South Pennines and Lincolnshire, with an amber warning in force.
A forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "The worst of the snow storms will have been overnight and throughout this morning, with the risk of snow decreasing throughout the day.A forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "The worst of the snow storms will have been overnight and throughout this morning, with the risk of snow decreasing throughout the day.
"Western Scotland will predominantly get the heaviest snow, with up to 10cm, while Northern Ireland and Wales will see up to 4cm and north England up to six. However, other areas, even in the south, might see some light snow storms, hail and sleet.""Western Scotland will predominantly get the heaviest snow, with up to 10cm, while Northern Ireland and Wales will see up to 4cm and north England up to six. However, other areas, even in the south, might see some light snow storms, hail and sleet."
The wintry weather would continue throughout the week, he said. "By the end of the week there could be more snow storms around, and even parts of the south may see some snow."The wintry weather would continue throughout the week, he said. "By the end of the week there could be more snow storms around, and even parts of the south may see some snow."
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