SNOW PATROL
Army on stand-by as snowbomb shuts airports and schools ahead of ‘coldest February on record’
Forecaster warned Brits of travel chaos today as heavy snow and ice is set to create 'treacherous' road conditions and cause severe delays
THE army is on stand-by today as heavy snow shut airports and schools ahead of what bookies think could be the coldest February on record.
Some 2,400 soldiers are ready to assist amid warnings "dangerous weather" will bring roads to a standstill, knock out power supplies and strand rural communities.
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Forecasters warned Brits of travel chaos today as heavy snow and ice is set to create "treacherous" road conditions and cause severe delays.
And as the "snow bomb" barrels towards the UK and looks set to bed in, Ladbrokes have cut odds from 6/1 to 3/1 on February being the coldest on record.
Amid travel chaos all over the country a spokesman at Liverpool Airport said the runway there closed just before 7am.
A spokeswoman for Manchester Airport, which also closed, said: “Our airfield team has been working through the night to keep the runways clear, which resulted in the day’s operations starting as planned.
“However, as conditions worsened significantly this morning, we took the decision to temporarily close our runways."
Just after 11am it was confirmed that Liverpool Airport had reopened, although some flights are still delayed, and one of Manchester Airport's runways was open again.
The Met Office stressed that a life-threatening "snowbomb" could cut off villages and rural areas in southern England, East Anglia and the East Midlands.
A yellow weather warning of snow remains in place until Friday night, with more snow forecast.
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Up to four inches of snow are predicted to fall on higher ground as 2,000 gritters battle a -11C "polar plunge".
Schools in Manchester and Liverpool have reported closures today as the bad weather sets in and freezing temperatures arrive.
Vehicles were stuck on the A487 in North Wales and a number of roads were blocked by snow in near Kendal in Cumbria, with police agencies warning drivers to avoid some routes.
Commuters have also been told to expect delays and cancellations for flights and rail journeys.
A climber was rescued from one of Britain's highest mountains after being hit by an avalanche during a heavy snowstorm.
The man had been climbing with friends when he was knocked down Snowdon, North Wales, into a gully after being struck by the falling snow.
WARNINGS IN PLACE
The life-threatening winter storm has spawned blizzard-like conditions as it moves towards the southeast, dumping up to 10cm of snow.
Forecasters for the Met Office also warned that the snow storm could spark power cuts and affect mobile phone coverage.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: “A system comes in from the west on Thursday and this is a tricky beast as it is uncertain how far north it will push.
"This will have an impact on whether it delivers rain or snow, there is a chance it will pass over the southern half of the UK in which case there will be a risk of significant snow in parts.
"The coldest temperature so far this winter has been -10.8C and I would be surprised if we didn’t beat that on Wednesday night which is going to be very cold.
“We could see -12C (10.4F) in some parts.”
VULNERABLE AT RISK
Health officials have also ramped up warnings to take extra care through the rest of the week with the extreme cold putting the elderly and vulnerable most at risk.Together with Public Health England (PHE) it has issued a Level-3 Cold Weather Action alert warning of "dangerous" conditions until Friday.
Age UK has urged elderly people to stock up on medication and to keep food in the cupboard or freezer.
The charity also advises those at risk to keep blankets, food and a shovel in the car, torches in case of a power cut and emergency numbers at hand.
And the National Federation of Occupational Pensioners (NFOP) urged people to keep an eye on the vulnerable over the cold spell.
Staying safe in snowy weather - top tips
When the weather is at its worst be prepared:
- Get from the Met Office.
- If snow is on its way, ensure you have enough medication and stock up on food that can be kept in the cupboard or freezer.
- Take care when driving, avoid going out in bad weather and if you have to go out, keep blankets, food, and a shovel in the car.
- Keep torches at home and make sure they are working in case of a power cut.
- Have emergency numbers handy such as a number of energy supplier in case of power cut, or register to be called in the event of a power cut.
Source: Age UK
The forecaster said air blown 2,500 miles from near the North Pole to Britain is set to bring the most low-level snow of winter so far.
Most nights this week are expected to verge near the previous current low of -10.8C.
COLD SNAP COULD CUT OFF VILLAGES
Rural communities across the South East could become cut off and power cuts could occur, the Met Office has warned.
Freezing cold winds reaching speeds of 70mph are likely to sweep across North East England, especially in coastal areas.
Luke Miall from the Met Office said: "More rural communities can be at greater risk because the roads don't get gritted as much, it can meant that some areas can get cut off.
"It's hard to predict where it will be as it depends on where the snow falls and if gritters are in action.
"In general very young or the very old are at greater risk of being impacted by the snow.
"Today the snowfall should be fairly transient and unlikely to accumulate too much, but on Thursday the chance of people being impacted is greater."
WORST TRAVEL CHAOS SINCE BEAST FROM THE EAST
Widespread rain and snow is predicted for Thursday, with sleet and snow in the North as well as continued freezing temperatures bringing the risk of further snow and sleet towards the weekend.
The RAC projected 8,500 daily breakdowns – an increase of up to 20 per cent – and has dispatched all 1,500 patrol teams.
Spokesman Simon Williams said: “The worst cold weather travel chaos since last winter’s Beast from the East is expected."
Rail firms are ready to run empty "ghost trains" to clear snow and ice, while Network Rail has 34 de-icing trains prepared.
And 2,000 gritters are digging into a record-equalling three million ton salt mountain.
Heathrow Airport has 185 snowploughs on standby and Gatwick has 98 snowploughs and snow-blowers ready.
COLDEST FOR SEVEN YEARS
Lows colder than -14C were forecast by The Weather Company and The Weather Outlook, with February set to see the mercury drop even further.
A temperature colder than the -14.1C on February 14, 2016, at Braemar, Aberdeenshire, would be Britain’s coldest for seven years, since the -15.6C on February 11, 2012, at Holbeach, Lincs, Met Office records show.
The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: “-18C would not be a surprise in Scotland when the cold digs in.”
Crisp, sunny weather will give way to snow, sleet and gales as the Met Office issued a slew of severe weather warnings for the next few days.
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Exacta Weather’s James Madden said: “Next week looks like bringing further very cold weather and snow which could affect much of the country.
“Some of this snowfall could be heavy and towards the middle of next week there is the potential for some disruption due to the weather.
“We can expect more of the same through the rest of the month and through much of February.”
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Manchester Airport forced to close as icy blast covers UK in snow
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