UK weather: Major UK airports close runways as snow causes serious disruption across Britain
WATCH: Phil Morrish tells the public to take head of weather warnings
GB News
Two of Britain's most popular airports have been forced to close their runways as snow and rain wreak havoc across the UK.
Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon airport closed their runways on Sunday morning due to heavy snow.
It comes hours after Birmingham Airport suspended operations for several hours overnight “for snow clearing and safety reasons” but said it was on schedule for “business as usual” to start the morning. Manchester Airport reopened the runways shortly after.
Bristol Airport reopened around 11pm last night after an earlier closure but warned of delays on Sunday morning due to aircraft being out of position. Leeds Bradford Airport said it had closed its runway this morning after disruption caused by heavy snowfall.
Temperatures have fallen across the country
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Flights have been grounded at Liverpool John Lennon Airport
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A train makes its way along the Hunt's Cross line in Liverpool
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Snow falling in Basingstoke, Hampshire
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All four affected airports and Belfast International Airport urged passengers to check with their airline.
On the roads, National Highways warned up to 25cm of snow could hit roads in northern England, including the A628 Woodhead Pass, which connects Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire through the Peak District and was closed overnight in both directions between the A616 at Flouch and the A57 at Hollingworth, because of snow.
The A66 in County Durham and Cumbria was also closed between the M6 and A1M because of the conditions. As well as snow, National Highways warned rain may initially fall on frozen ground and lead to ice with areas of high ground, including the Cotswolds and Peak District, most at risk.
Trains from Liverpool Lime Street have been cancelled, with disruption expected across the network for the rest of the day.
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Snow covers the A1 near to junction 47 for Blyth, in YorkshirePA
A dog runs through snow in the Pentland Hills, Scotland
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There was heavy snow in Balerno, Edinburgh
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Two amber weather warnings from the Met Office have been put in place in England and Wales with 3cm to 7cm of snowfall predicted for much of the affected area, mixing with rain at times in lower-lying areas.
One amber warning for snow and freezing rain, which covers much of Wales and the Midlands as far north as Manchester, is in place until midday on Sunday.
Higher ground in Wales and the southern Pennines could see 15cm to 30cm of snow, the forecaster said, with milder air leading to a rapid thaw in the south of the warning area through Sunday.
The second amber warning for snow, covering most of northern England including Leeds, Sheffield and the Lake District, was in place until midnight on Sunday.
Snow surrounds the Angel of the North in Gateshead
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London experienced its first snowfall of this year as authorities issued a weather warning for snow and ice
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Councils across London and southern England have activated emergency measures including additional accommodation to help rough sleepers stay safe during the cold snap.
The Met Office forecast the sleet and snow will continue to push north on Sunday and be heaviest in northern England and into southern Scotland.
After experiencing freezing rain for a time, the south will turn milder.
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