Britain’s transport network has been thrown into turmoil after snow and rain caused chaos across the UK, leading to major disruptions on airport runways and on the roads.

UK airport shutdowns wreak havoc on holidaymakers’ plans.

As previously reported by Euro Weekly News, Jet2 and Ryanair, among others, sounded the alarm several days ago over icy skies and potential travel disruptions. Unfortunately, it appears they were right.

Two of the UK’s busiest airports, Manchester and Liverpool John Lennon, were forced to shut their runways on Sunday morning (January 5) due to heavy snowfall. The closures have left passengers stranded and caused major delays to travel plans.

Just hours earlier, Birmingham Airport had suspended operations overnight to clear the snow, but assured travellers that services would resume ‘business as usual’ in the morning. Manchester Airport reopened its runways shortly after, but the damage was already done. Bristol Airport also experienced a temporary shutdown, reopening at 11 PM on Saturday night (January 4), but warning of delays on the morning of January 5, due to several aircraft being out of position.

Leeds Bradford Airport hasn’t escaped the bad weather either, as it too closed its runway on Sunday morning after heavy snowfall caused disruption.

Snow and rain cause chaos across Britain

It hasn’t been just airports feeling the brunt of the weather chaos, however. The UK has been hit by plummeting temperatures, with much of the country covered in blankets of snow. The Met Office reported snowfall reaching up to 25cm in some parts of the north of England, including areas like the Peak District, which saw the A628 Woodhead Pass closed overnight, between January 4 and January 5. Drivers were advised to avoid the A66 in County Durham and Cumbria as both roads were also shut due to the severe conditions.

Areas of high ground were also warned of ice forming on frozen ground, leading to further hazards. National Highways issued warnings for potentially dangerous conditions, including the risk of icy patches across much of the country.

UK train services also disrupted

Train services are facing significant disruption as well, with trains from Liverpool Lime Street cancelled and widespread delays expected throughout today, January 5. Passengers hoping for a smooth journey are being left frustrated, with rail disruption set to continue for the foreseeable future.

The Met Office didn’t hold back with its warnings either. Two amber warnings for snow and freezing rain were issued for much of England and Wales, with predictions of 3 to 7cm of snow, accompanied by rain in lower-lying areas. The snowstorm is expected to push north, causing heavier snow in northern England and southern Scotland as the day progresses.

Snow in Wales and the southern Pennines

In Wales and the southern Pennines, snow could pile up to a staggering 30cm in higher ground areas. Fortunately, milder air is expected to lead to a thaw down south by Sunday afternoon, January 5, but it’s clear that the cold snap will likely continue to grip the north.

With the freezing temperatures, councils in London and southern England have sprung into action, offering extra accommodation to protect rough sleepers from the harsh conditions.

Jason Kelly, Met Office Chief Forecaster, had previously warned of severe disruptions over the weekend. He warned the public that the weekend of January 4 and January 5 would bring a range of weather hazards to Britain with significant “snow accumulations, freezing rain, ice and heavy rain as well as some gusty conditions”. He originally warned of “as much as 20-30 cm over high ground of mid and north Wales and potentially 30-40 cm over parts of the Pennines.”

With all four affected airports – Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds Bradford, and Belfast International – urging passengers to check with their airlines for updates, it’s clear that travellers face a tough day ahead. It’s best to prepare for delays, cancellations, and major disruptions as Britain battles through this winter storm. Stay safe, stay warm, and keep an eye on the latest weather reports.

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