20 Jan 2013

Snow forecast to continue across UK

Channel 4 News Weather Presenter Liam Dutton warns that the big freeze will continue across the UK, as thousands of passengers remain stranded at Heathrow airport for a second day.

The prediction of prolonged cold weather will bring a further chill to commuters and holidaymakers after two days of snow brought airports and transport networks to a shuddering halt.

Large parts of the UK will experience further snowfall today, with up to 4cm falling in the West and North and 6cm in the East Midlands, East Anglia and the South East, including London.

Up to 10cm could fall in local areas, and 15cm on higher ground, weather experts said.

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for ice for much of the country and advised people to take extra care as snow turns to ice in the sub-zero conditions.

Weather Forecast from Channel 4 News' Liam Dutton
During Sunday daytime, north east Wales, along with central and eastern parts of England will see the heaviest snow, with 2-5cm, locally 10cm, falling on top of what is already lying on the ground.
The snow will then move northwards into northern England and Scotland during Sunday night into Monday, where it will always be heaviest towards the east.
Again 2-5cm can be expected widely, with as much as 10-15cm over the hills and mountains. Other areas will see further snow showers in Monday, with the chance of more persistent snow moving eastwards across southern parts of England and Wales.
Whilst there is some uncertainty about how heavy this will be, another few centimetres are possible. Much of this week looks cold and icy with further snow at times, although there are hints that it could turn milder next weekend with a thaw.
I'll be posting regular updates on Twitter, where you can also send me your weather reports and pictures - @liamdutton

Travel chaos

London’s Heathrow Airport is braced for another day of chaos today as around 260 flights are to be cancelled – more than twice the number yesterday, and 20 per cent of the total number of departures.

Following a joint decision by Heathrow, airlines and air traffic control, the flight schedule will be reduced in an effort to minimise the expected disruption caused by snow and low visibility.

Passengers were left fuming yesterday, mainly at British Airways, after it cancelled at least 100 flights, leaving them stuck for hours on planes or stranded at the airport.

Many branded BA’s treatment of them as “appalling”, accusing staff of not keeping them informed as to what was happening. BA and the airport insisted they were doing everything they could in difficult circumstances.

Any fresh snow on top will just add to the problems. The AA

Travellers at regional airports including Leeds Bradford, Humberside and Newcastle were also frustrated by delays and disruption caused by the wintry weather.

The road and rail networks are also braced for further bad weather. The M48 Severn Bridge is closed in both directions between junctions 1 and 2, and is not expected to reopen until noon.

Among rail services, Eurostar is warning all trains will be delayed today, with a number of services to and from Paris and Brussels cancelled. Southern will run an amended timetable tomorrow because of forecast snow,

Freezing conditions have also also prompted motoring organisations to issue warnings. Darron Burness, the AA’s head of special operations, said: “With the snow compacting down and turning icy, we’re likely to see treacherous driving conditions throughout the weekend. Any fresh snow on top will just add to the problems.”

Topics

,,