Heavy snow brings widespread disruption across the UK and Europe

0
28

People help to push cars stuck in snow in Leeds, England.   (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

In short:

Heavy snow and freezing rain has brought widespread disruption across the United Kingdom and Europe on Saturday.

Several major airports have suspended flights, roads have been pre-emptively closed and houses in the UK have experienced power outages.

What's next?

Britain's main weather forecaster, the Met Office, says sleet and snow will continue to push north.

Heavy snow and freezing rain brought widespread disruption across Europe on Sunday, particularly in the UK and Germany, with several major airports forced to suspend flights.

With the weather set to stay inclement on Sunday in the UK, there are concerns that many rural communities, particularly in the north of England, could be cut off.

Up to 40 centimetres of snow on ground above 300 metres is forecasted.

Heavy snow brings widespread disruption across the UK and Europe

Blackpool, in the north of England saw a lot of snow fall.  (Michael Holmes/PA via AP)

The National Grid, which oversees the UK's electricity network, said it had been working to restore power after outages across the country.

The company's live map shows power cuts in Birmingham in central England, Bristol in the west and Cardiff in Wales.

Heavy snow brings widespread disruption across the UK and Europe

The iconic Angel of the North sculpture is surrounded by heavy snow in Gateshead. (AP Photo: Scott Heppell)

Liverpool's John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport had to close runways, but both reopened by late Sunday morning local time.

Leeds Bradford Airport, however, said it had closed its runway on Sunday morning.

Heavy snow brings widespread disruption across the UK and Europe

Manchester Airport had to close runways due to the snow. (Reuters: Phil Noble)

The road network was heavily impacted too, on what would have been a very busy day with many families returning home from the Christmas and New Year break and students heading back to universities.

Many roads had been pre-emptively closed by local authorities but stranded vehicles and collisions have caused disruption elsewhere.

Heavy snow brings widespread disruption across the UK and Europe

Many roads had been pre-emptively closed by local authorities in England. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

On the railways, many services were cancelled, with the UK's National Rail warning of disruption continuing into the working week.

The UK's main weather forecaster, the Met Office, said sleet and snow would continue to push north on Sunday and would be heaviest in northern England and into southern Scotland.

After experiencing freezing rain, which occurs when super cold rain freezes on impact, the south will turn milder.

The UK Environment Agency has also issued eight flood warnings across southern England on the River Taw and River Avon.

Heavy snow brings widespread disruption across the UK and Europe

Some people in north England have made the most of the snow. (AP Photo: Scott Heppell)

Heavy snow across Europe

Snow and ice were also causing havoc in Germany, where a bout of winter weather is spreading from the south-west.

German authorities have issued black ice warnings for drivers and pedestrians, advising people to stay home where possible.

Frankfurt airport cancelled 120 of its 1,090 planned take-offs and landings on Sunday, according to German transport company Fraport's press office.

At Munich airport, only one runway was open while the other was being cleared.

In Baden-Wuerttemberg eight people were injured when a bus skidded off the road near the town of Hemmingen.

Heavy snow brings widespread disruption across the UK and Europe

People walk through the snow-covered Thuringian Forest in Germany. (Michael Reichel/dpa via AP)

Long-distance train connections also experienced irregularities in the Frankfurt area.

At least 70 flights have been cancelled and several others delayed at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport due to snowy weather, a spokesperson said on Sunday.

He said workers started clearing snow at the airport early Sunday morning and that Schiphol was expected to be operational again around midday. However, there might still be delays.

Wires

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here