UK weather: Flights cancelled and snow and ice warnings extended as temperatures plunge
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings as snow and ice blankets parts of the UK
Snow and freezing conditions are expected to continue well into the weekend across the UK as temperatures plummeted below freezing overnight.
The Met Office has extended a yellow weather warning of ice into further parts of south-west Scotland and northern England.
The warning, which had already been issued for Cumbria and north Lancashire from midnight until 11am on Sunday, states that the refreezing of any melted snow, or freezing of lying snow, will “likely lead to difficult travel conditions across the area”.
The forecaster said wintry showers are likely to continue in places with a further centimetre or two of snow accumulating.
It added that temperatures will slowly recover on Sunday morning, “with a slow thaw of lying snow and melting of ice”.
Cumbria Police has declared a major incident because of heavy snowfall on the county’s roads and said people should only travel where necessary.
The force said a multi-agency response was ongoing on Saturday evening to “minimise the challenges that heavy snowfall is continuing to have on the county’s road network”.
Meanwhile, flights have been cancelled and delayed at Stansted Airport because of cold weather conditions, the transport hub has said.
In a post on social media, the Essex airport said: “Cold weather conditions are impacting some of our airlines, causing some delays or cancellations. As a result, our terminal is busier than usual.
“If you are due to travel this evening or tomorrow morning, please check with your airline for up-to-date flight information and allow extra time for your journey to the airport.”
Glasgow Airport had suspended all flights temporarily because of “heavier than forecast snow”.
“Flight operations are currently suspended due to heavier than forecast snow,” the airport said on X, formerly Twitter, shortly before 7.30am on Saturday.
“Our winter teams have been working through the night and we hope to resume operations as soon as possible.
“Please check with your airline for further flight updates.”
Several sporting events were cancelled and forecasters warn of travel disruption on the roads and railways amid the icy and snowy conditions.
Temperatures plunged to almost -10C in some places overnight and are tipped to continue to fall over the weekend.
ITV Weather Presenter Lucy Verasamy speaks to a climate expert to find out the life hacks to save money on your heating bills this winter. Listen to our latest podcast to find out What You Need To Know...
The forecaster said the lowest temperature recorded on Friday was -9.4C in Shap in Cumbria, with Tulloch Bridge and Eskdalemuir in Scotland reaching -8C.
The areas with the most snow on Friday were Aviemore, Invernesshire, 5cm; Albemarle, Northumberland, 2cm; Bingley, West Yorkshire, 2cm; and Loftus, Cleveland, 1cm.
Crewe’s match with Bristol Rovers in the second round of the FA Cup on Saturday has been called off and rearranged for December 12, with the playing surface deemed unsafe.
The Alfreton Town v Walsall FA Cup game has also been postponed after the pitch at Alfreton's stadium was deemed unplayable by officials, while Darlington FC's game against Southport FC was cancelled after a match inspection this morning, as well as Hartlepool United's away clash with Fylde.
A number of Scottish Professional Football League matches were likewise postponed ahead of the weekend, with Dundee United’s trip to face Morton at Cappielow called off and the game between Ayr and Arbroath at Somerset Park.
Saturday’s high-profile racing fixture at Newcastle, which was due to stage the return of the Constitution Hill, has been abandoned due to snow on the track.
The UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office have issued amber cold health alerts in five regions: the East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber until December 5, meaning “cold weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service for an extended period of time”.