Snow travel chaos: Severe weather warning issued for motorists as Arctic blast hits UK
SNOW blanketed parts of the north of England today amid powerful Storm Caroline bringing travel chaos to Scotland and the north east as drivers are urged to avoid the roads if their journey is not necessary.
At least 8 cm of snow was expected to fall in northern England and the Midlands today as temperatures plummeted sparking fears of travel chaos.
Storm Caroline has battered the country with 90mph gales and an Arctic air flow in its wake.
Schools were forced to shut across the country and in the Highlands, closed roads left thousands of homes without power.
Flood barriers have been put up on Newcastle’s Quayside as the North East braces itself for high tides.
PA/SWNS
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Highways England issued a severe weather warning to motorists to avoid the roads in the West Midlands and North West if their journey was not necessary.
A Highways England spokesman said: “Road users intending to travel through the West Midlands and the North West are being advised to check the weather forecast and road conditions before they travel today.
"Highways England is working closely with the Met Office in monitoring the weather conditions. As a result of the forecast, we have issued a Severe Weather Alert for snow.
"Road users are advised to take extra care when travelling, to allow plenty of extra time to complete your journey and to consider whether your journey is absolutely necessary before setting out, by first checking the very latest forecast and road conditions."
SWNS
We have even had reports of #thundersnow in places!!!! ������️������️Here is a brief explainer on what it is and how it forms.... pic.twitter.com/Ye9n5i7Eog
— Met Office (@metoffice) December 8, 2017
Ian Clapham @ianlanesgroup
Forecasters said snow showers will continue to affect parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, northern England and the Midlands, as the day progresses.
About 8cm of snow had already fallen in Aviemore, in the Scottish Highlands, by dawn on Friday, while Antrim, Kinmel Bay, Leeds and areas to the west of the Pennines had also had a covering
It came as storm Caroline’s bitter grip on the UK continued to be felt by homeowners, school children and commuters, with more snowfall peppering parts of the country.
Cold temperatures are likely to remain well into next week, with forecasters warning that Sunday could see further heavy snow showers.
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Met Office meteorologist John West said: “We saw a fairly consistent stream of snow showers overnight, and there will be a constant feed throughout the day and into Friday.
“We could see some fairly significant accumulations. Broadly speaking we’re looking at 2cm to 5cm, but in more exposed areas we could see 10cm to 20cm.
“It will also be bitterly cold, with highs of 2C or 3C outside those snow showers. But the wind chill is going to make it feel sub-zero.”
Reuters
Social media users as far south as Birmingham posted videos of blizzards, with the potential for a smattering across the far South West, the whole of Wales and parts of Oxfordshire by dusk on Saturday.
But the snow’s arrival was embraced by children and those seeking to capture picture postcard snowscapes on their cameras.
However, the Met Office has urged people to be careful, as icy surfaces are likely to be an additional hazard, especially overnight.
Check the latest information on road conditions on England's motorways at http://www.trafficengland.com or on Twitter at @highwaysenglandon
