Heavy snow and freezing rain swept across parts of the UK on Sunday, forcing major airports, including Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham, to close their runways temporarily. Manchester Airport reopened its runways at 09:45 GMT after a lengthy closure that left all incoming flights diverted to other airports such as London Heathrow, Dublin, and Glasgow.
Tracking website Flightradar24 reported that at least 12 Manchester-bound flights were redirected, while Leeds Bradford Airport’s runway remained closed. Meanwhile, Liverpool John Lennon Airport resumed operations after its brief closure.
The adverse weather has also caused chaos on roads and railways. Amber weather warnings for snow and ice are in effect for central England, including the Midlands and north-west regions, with less severe yellow warnings for parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and southern England. These warnings suggest a possible risk to life and significant travel disruption.
According to the Met Office, snow accumulation could reach 40cm (15.7 inches) in elevated areas above 300m, with milder conditions expected to return later on Sunday. However, ice hazards remain a concern, especially in Wales and central England, where rain falling on sub-zero surfaces is freezing rapidly.
Road travel has been heavily impacted, with National Highways deploying 500 gritting lorries and stockpiling 240,000 tonnes of salt to keep routes open. Flooding risks are also anticipated as thawing snow combines with heavy rainfall. Police in Wiltshire and Avon and Somerset have advised against non-essential travel due to treacherous road conditions.
As of Sunday morning, 16cm of snow was recorded in Bingley, West Yorkshire, while the UK’s lowest temperature overnight dropped to -9.3°C (15.26°F) at Fyvie Castle, Aberdeenshire.
The National Grid has reported power outages in areas like Birmingham, Bristol, and Cardiff, with restoration efforts underway. Passengers are urged to check flight statuses with their airlines as delays and cancellations may persist.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber cold weather health alerts, with temperatures expected to drop again from Monday.
