UK weather: Manchester airport closes runway as cold temperatures continue

Manchester Airport has temporarily closed its runways due to “significant levels of snow” as the cold spell continues.

It comes as commuters are being warned of icy roads and travel disruption after temperatures plummeted again overnight across the UK.

Fresh weather warnings have been issued, with snow and ice forecast across southern England, Wales, Northern Ireland and northern Scotland on Thursday.

Temperatures could fall again to as low as -16C on Thursday night.

The cold spell has already brought heavy snowfall to some areas, and dozens of flood alerts and warnings are in place due to either heavy rain or melting snow.

Travel disruption to road and rail services is likely on Thursday in areas covered by warnings.

There are four warnings in place:

• A yellow warning for snow and ice is in place for northern Scotland until midnight on Thursday
• A yellow warning for ice has been issued until 10:30 GMT across parts of southern England and south-east Wales
• Two yellow warnings for snow and ice are in force until 11:00 GMT – one across western Wales and north-west England, and south-west England; and another for Northern Ireland

On Wednesday the lowest temperature recorded so far overnight was -12.4C (9.68F) at Tulloch Bridge in the Highlands.

Low temperatures were also recorded in Shap, Cumbria, at -11C (12.2F), Sennybridge, Powys, at -7.8 (17.96F) and Castlederg, County Tyrone, at -7.3C (18.86F).

The coldest temperature recorded so far this winter was -13.3C at Loch Glascarnoch on Sunday night into Monday morning.

It comes as an amber cold health alert remains in place for all of England until Sunday, meaning the forecast weather is expected to have significant impacts across health – including a rise in deaths.

On Wednesday drivers in Devon and Cornwall reported being stuck for hours after snow caused some roads to close.

One motorist, Michael, told BBC Radio Devon: “We drove for just under an hour when the traffic came to a standstill in very heavy snow.

“We took the decision to turn around… and I think we’ve moved 100 yards in three-and-a-half hours.”

Gritters working into Thursday morning have been fitted with ploughs to clear routes in the area, according to authorities there.

Car insurer RAC said it has seen the highest levels of demand for rescues in a three-day period since December 2022.

“Cold conditions will last until at least the weekend, so we urge drivers to remain vigilant of the risks posed by ice and, in some locations, snow,” said RAC breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson.

National Rail have also advised passengers to check before they travel, as ice and snow can mean speed restrictions and line closures.

As of Thursday morning, poor weather is affecting Northern and Great Western Railway. The rail operator has further warned the weather may affect Merseyrail and ScotRail.

Transport for Wales has said “some parts” of the network are closed following damage to the track due to weather conditions.

Buses are also replacing trains between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog until Monday.

The wintry conditions have caused significant disruption across the UK since snow swept many parts of the country at the weekend.

Around 80 schools are closed across Wales – the majority in Conwy county – while Devon, Yorkshire and Aberdeenshire are among counties in England and Scotland also seeing closures.

There has also been widespread flooding in recent days. There are currently a number of flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected – for areas of England and one flood alert – where flooding is possible – for South Pembrokeshire in Wales.

The weather is expected to be less cold over the weekend.