Weekend of heavy snow across Manchester, Cheshire, and Merseyside causes widespread disruption
ITV Granada Reports correspondent Tim Scott speaks to a family affected by the floods as a new Met Office alert comes into force - with ITV weather presenter Ross Hutchinson explaining what is to come
Heavy rain and snow continues to cause widespread disruption with major roads closed, railway lines blocked, and schools shut on what should have been pupils' first day back of the new year.
Snow, wind, and rain warnings are in place across much of the North West.
Flights have been cancelled or delayed on Tuesday, 7 January, at Liverpool John Lennon Airport after it was forced to shut its runway due to heavy snowfall.
Manchester Airport also announced delays to some flights after its runways were closed for a period for the third consecutive day.
The airport announced at 2am the runways were closed “due to heavy snow”, and shortly after 5am said they had reopened.
It said in a statement: “Our runways are now open, but as a result of the earlier closure, some departures and arrivals may still experience delays.
“Please check with your airline for the latest updates and allow extra time for your journey.”
At least 23 flights due to arrive between 4.40pm on Monday and 1am on Tuesday were diverted to other airports, affecting around 4,000 passengers.
The Met Office has issued a fresh snow and ice warning across much of Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, and Lancashire, lasting from 5pm until 10am on Tuesday 7 January.
Forecasters say sleet and snow showers will develop Monday evening, leading to icy stretches.
They warn that roads and railways are likely to be disrupted, while pedestrians and cyclists will need to take care on untreated roads and pavements.
Flood warnings are also in place in Warrington, Northwich, Lymm, Cheadle, and Chester, a week on from heavy rain that saw close to a 1,000 people evacuated from their homes in Greater Manchester.
Several roads are closed due to flooding, including Woodhead Pass and the A555. The M62 had been closed eastbound from junctions 21 to 24, but has since reopened.
The flood and weather warnings have forced many schools to keep their doors closed on what should be the first day back from the Christmas holidays.
Manchester Airport warned passengers may face delays after they temporarily closed their runways on Monday morning due to heavy snow.
Avanti West Coast trains running to and from Liverpool Lime Street were cancelled due to depot issues with disruption expected until midday.
Delays are also expected for all rail services between Manchester and Liverpool until 1.30pm due to a points failure.
Flooding near Hooton, Cheshire, means Merseyrail's Chester services are suspended while Ellesmere Port services will run as far as Hooton.
UK Health Security Agency cold weather health alerts for all of England remain in place ahead of a week of low temperatures.
Amber alerts were issued on Thursday and will run until Wednesday, meaning a rise in deaths is likely, the agency said.
A Met Office spokesperson said: "Icy stretches are expected to develop this evening, due to ongoing wet surfaces following earlier rain and, in places, snowmelt.
"Frequent sleet or snow showers are also expected to affect Wales and parts of northwest England this evening, moving into southwest England, the Midlands and parts of southern England in the early hours of Tuesday.
"In addition to the ice, these are likely to produce snow accumulations of a few cm above 200 metres, with a small chance of greater than 5cm above 200 metres in Wales.
"The heaviest snow showers may also produce temporary accumulations of 0-2cm at low levels."
Parts of Greater Manchester, Cheshire, and Merseyside woke up to a blanket of snow on the 5 January, with an estimated 40cm falling overnight.
The snow was followed by heavy rain and freezing weather, leading to Met office weather warnings across the region.
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