Storm Larisa battered parts of the the UK with rain, gales and blizzards overnight and into today.
The Met Office has issued three amber warnings for northern England, the Midlands, North Wales and Northern Ireland, where "significant disruption" to transport and power supplies is expected.
Four yellow warnings for snow also cover much of the rest of the nation, with the exception of South East England and western Scotland.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said the worst of the weather is expected in north-west Wales and northern England, where "gusts of easily 50mph" are on a collision course with "30 to 40cm of snow".
Traffic was brought to a standstill on the M62 in the early hours of Friday morning due to the heavy snow in the area.
Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts
National Highways: North-West said that at one point congestion on the M62 eastbound between Rochdale and Saddleworth stretched to around eight miles.
Dozens of schools are expected to remain closed today across England, Wales and Scotland.
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If you're in England and Wales, you can check to see if your school is closed by going here.
If you're in Scotland you can check here. And for those in Northern Ireland, you can go here.
Alternatively, you can go to your council's website to find out.
A child rides a sledge at Ashbourne Park in Ashbourne (Getty Images)Anyone gonna sort me a water bottle out :â( #M62 #standstill 7hours & counting⦠pic.twitter.com/9JP9OiCawP
— Yaseenp. _ (@BO52YAS) March 10, 2023
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said the worst of the weather is expected in north-west Wales and northern England, where "gusts of easily 50mph" are on a collision course with "30 to 40cm of snow".
Mr Burkill said: "The combination of heavy snow and gales is why we're likely to see blizzards and drifting snow which causes extra hazards on the roads.
"In places covered by amber warnings, there will be very difficult, treacherous conditions.
Weather maps forecast 750-mile blizzard dropping three inches of snow next week
"Ideally, avoid travelling in those periods - but if you have to head out then be aware that journeys could take significantly longer."
The worst hit areas are expected to be north-west Wales and northern England (PA)The Met Office has issued three amber warnings for northern England, the Midlands, North Wales and Northern Ireland, where "significant disruption" to transport and power supplies is expected.
Four yellow warnings for snow also cover much of the rest of the nation, with the exception of South East England and western Scotland.
Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said Storm Larisa, which has been named by the French weather service, is bringing rain and snow to the UK.
"Storm Larisa, which Meteo France have named, is the same low pressure system that is bringing us the bands of rain," he said.
"But essentially, we're on the northern side of the low pressure system and it's the southern side of that low pressure system that is going to be bringing particularly strong winds to parts of France.
"So that did originate out in the Atlantic and then it tracked its way eastward towards us, and the weather fronts that are swirling around that low pressure system have then been pushing into the cold air that has been in places across the UK and allowing that rain to start falling as snow across several areas."
Snow falls in Worcester (SWNS)Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said that a pocket of western Scotland covering Glasgow and the county of Argyll may be the only region untouched by heavy rain and snow over the next 24 hours.
Storm Larisa will continue to cause chaos into the weekend as wintry conditions have forced people to abandon their cars.
Gusts of up to 50mph and snow of 15 inches have hit parts of the UK as Storm Larisa continues her strangehold across the country.
Motorists have been forced to flee their vehicles due to the freezing snowy conditions while on the M62 near Manchester, hundreds of cars are in standstill as they attempt to wrestle the harsh conditions on Friday.
Click here to read the full story
Cars driving through snow on the northbound carriageway of the M5 motorway near Taunton (PA)Storm Larisa will continue to cause chaos into the weekend as wintry conditions have forced people to abandon their cars.
Gusts of up to 50mph and snow of 15 inches have hit parts of the UK as Storm Larisa continues her strangehold across the country.
Motorists have been forced to flee their vehicles due to the freezing snowy conditions while on the M62 near Manchester, hundreds of cars are in standstill as they attempt to wrestle the harsh conditions on Friday
One motorist took to social media to vent her frustrations on the roads just after 3.30am this morning after being stuck in the traffic for more than four hours.
Cars have been stuck in traffic for hours on the M62 due to the harsh conditions on Friday (@iwiizkiid/Twitter)She wrote: "Four hours to reach J22 - lorries broken down and cars abandoned on the other side... turns in to one lane and just a sheet of ice."
The Met Office has issued three amber warnings for northern England, the Midlands, North Wales and Northern Ireland, where "significant disruption" to transport and power supplies is expected.
Multiple crashes were reported in Greater Manchester late on Thursday - with 'severe' dealys on the M62 - as heavy snow continued to create 'awful blizzard conditions' on the region's roads.
Yellow Met Office weather warnings for snow and ice remain in place on Friday and over the weekend - with an 'Amber' warning in place for parts of Greater Manchester until midday.
And a 'yellow' warning for wind was issued shortly after midnight and remains in place until 5am.
At 11.37pm on Thursday night, Twitter traffic monitor @manctraffic said: "Multiple crashes reported in the last 90 mins on the A669 Oldham Rd at Platting Rd, Lydgate. Conditions are AWFUL throughout the Oldham and Saddleworth areas. ALSO... A670 Mossley Rd also crawling in the area of the Hartshead Inn, Mossley both ways due to blizzards."
Brits have been told to expect travel chaos and power outages from strong winds after the Met Office issued another severe weather warning.
Forecasters have issued the warning for parts of the East Midlands, North West England and Yorkshire and Humber.
It is in force from midnight on Friday until 5am.
The Met Office said in its warning: "Strong winds leading to some power disruption and additional travel delays."
They added that people should expect 'some short term loss of power and other services is likely' and said: "Delays to road and rail transport are likely in addition to that caused by snow."
Weekend plans? You'd better check your area isn't one of the multiple set for more snow on Saturday.
The Met Office has issue five new yellow and amber alerts for snow and ice. Find out if yours is one of them here.
Heavy snow fall in Slievethoul, Co Dublin (PA)Yellow weather warnings have been issued in London and the southeast, East of England, East Midlands and southwest England.
Warnings for snow and ice are in place from 4am on Friday and until 10am the same day.
The Met Office said: "Periods of rain will likely transition to snow from the northwest, continuing east and south through Friday morning easing as it does so. A few centimetres of snow is likely in places, with 2-4 cm possible across parts of Wales, and perhaps higher ground elsewhere such as the Cotswolds.
"Icy surfaces also likely to develop."
The Met Office has said areas of Scotland could experience close to the coldest ever March night.
Areas of the Highlands could see minus 17C, after this year's record low of minus 16C was recorded at Altnaharra in the country last night.
Met Office forecasters said this was also the lowest March temperature seen in the UK since 2010, when minus 18.6C was recorded at Braemar in Aberdeenshire.
The coldest March night on record was -22.8C at Logie Coldstone in Aberdeenshire on March 14 1958.
The coldest March night on record was -minus 22.8C (Getty Images)A man in Shetland, Scotland saw a remarkable rare weather phenomenon known as a 'snow tornado' while he was feeding his sheep.
Michael Peterson captured the moment he saw the twister whip up in front of him on Tuesday
He told BBC Radio Scotland that he saw the mind-boggling icy twister because he was in the "right place at the right time."
Read more here.
The rare weather phenomenon appeared as the UK experiences yet more snow (Michael Peterson/Facebook)Blizzards are due to cause "treacherous conditions" in the UK on Thursday night and Friday morning - with 50mph winds and up to 40cm of snow forecast in some areas.
The Met Office has issued three amber warnings for northern England, the Midlands, North Wales and Northern Ireland, where "significant disruption" to transport and power supplies is expected.
Three yellow warnings for snow also cover much of the rest of the nation, with the exception of southern England and western Scotland.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said that a pocket of western Scotland covering Glasgow and the county of Argyll may be the only region untouched by heavy rain and snow over the next 24 hours.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for "strong winds bringing blizzard conditions" and up to 40cm of snow in some areas. (PA)Brits looking to keep their heating bills down may not be encouraged by next week's forecast, but more snow is not expected and temperatures should be milder.
Plenty of showers are still expected.
The Met Office said there is a chance of strong winds that "likely turn northerly on Tuesday, drawing colder air southwards across much of the UK.
"This is expected to bring wintry showers, especially impacting many exposed coasts. However, away from Scotland, settling snow most likely confined to high ground. Temperatures nearer average in the south.
"The unsettled regime is predicted to stay into mid-week, although becoming milder than average for most away from the far north, this bringing rainfall, and potentially strong winds at times.
Some snow is expected over high ground in the north and spells of rain will move intermittently north.
They added: "Many places potentially wetter than average through this period, except for the far north, with temperatures around average for many."
Children ride sledges at Ashbourne Park in Ashbourne (Getty Images)Drivers have been warned to take extra care when on the road over the next few days.
The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning today advising of the potential risk to life - with the UK is expected to see strong winds and blizzard conditions.
Car experts at Bristol Street Motors say the cold snap serves as a "timely reminder" for drivers to check their cars are fit for icy roads.
Click here to read the full story
Drivers have been warned to take extra care (SHARED CONTENT UNIT)This happy lamb seems content to bask in the snow as it waits for better temperatures later this month.
A lamb sits in a field covered in snow in Carryduff, Northern Ireland (PA)Britain is currently getting battered by an Arctic blast which has brought a late winter cold snap and heavy snow.
It was the coldest March night since 2010 yesterday with -16C recorded in the Scottish Highlands.
But the Met Office's long range forecast indicates the bitter chill may be coming to an end soon.
Click here to read the full story
The weather is set to get milder (AFP via Getty Images)Power cuts have left nearly 40,000 Brits without electricity across 10 parts of the country.
This morning, tens of thousands of Brits across the south east and east of England were left in the dark as a massive power outage struck.
Mainly centred around West Sussex, London has also been hit along with Kent, Suffolk, Buckinghamshire and more.
Click here to read the full story
Power cuts have struck across the UK amid the blizzard conditions (Getty Images/iStockphoto)As milder air continues a transition north, snow on the leading edge is likely to cause further disruption for many.
A number of National Severe Weather Warnings are in place across the UK as snow continues to cause disruption through the week.
Three Amber warnings have been issued by the Met Office, highlighting likely travel disruption, possible power cuts and a good chance that some rural communities could become cut off.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “The boundary between milder and colder air is gradually moving north, with some heavy and persistent snow likely at times on the northern edge of this boundary.
"Snow has already settled quite widely in centrals parts of the UK and further accumulations are likely even to lower levels with disruption most likely for those within the amber warning areas.
“With some strong winds accompanying these snow showers, blizzard conditions are likely for a time in northern England and Wales, as well as parts of Northern Ireland.
"Ice will be a continuing hazard for many in the forecast period, with very low overnight temperatures likely to exacerbate continued likely travel disruption.”
Thursday afternoon:
— Met Office (@metoffice) March 9, 2023
Risk of heavy snow and strengthening winds in central parts, with travel disruption likely
Cloudy with rain in the south
Cold but with some sunny spells in the north pic.twitter.com/9oYnDfSTu7
The runway at East Midlands Airport has re-opened and flights have resumed.
Our runaway has reopened and flight operations have resumed. pic.twitter.com/oT94951qrS
— East Midlands Airport (@EMA_Airport) March 9, 2023
(1/4) The ongoing adverse weather in Derbyshire means that our Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (PTS) will only be able to undertake journeys for patients who have life-saving appointments, such as for chemotherapy, radiotherapy and renal treatments. pic.twitter.com/02Whiha6U7
— East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (@EMASNHSTrust) March 9, 2023
Very quiet out today, everyone seems to have declared a snow day and blobbed off work!
— Kellyann Martin (@PresleyProperty) March 9, 2023
Still, made my tasks out and about easier!
Went to check out a minor issue a tenant has reported, apparently this pipe is leaking.
In other news, Snow Wolf is loving it! pic.twitter.com/6QjGDx4VWG
A yellow weather warning for snow and ice will remain in force through Saturday and Sunday for Scotland and large parts of England.
Currently, there are multiple yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across the UK for today and tomorrow.
In parts of Northern Ireland, Wales and England there is an amber weather warning for snow in force for today and tomorrow.
East Midlands Airport, in Castle Donington, Leicestershire, has temporarily closed its runway due to the weather.
In a second update on Thursday, a spokesperson for East Midlands Airport said: “Our runway remains closed as we continue to clear the airfield.
“Our ground handling teams are all operational and we have multiple de-icing vehicles in service.”
It reiterated that passengers should check with their airlines for the most up-to-date flight information.
The airport’s website says that four flights have been held at the gate, with others scheduled to depart later on Thursday having been delayed.
One arrival, a Ryanair flight from Wroclaw in Poland, was diverted to Birmingham Airport, according to a flight tracker.
â¹ï¸ An update on airport operations due to adverse weather. We will provide further updates as soon as possible. pic.twitter.com/F1E43V22UA
— East Midlands Airport (@EMA_Airport) March 9, 2023
The Beatles statues on the Pier Head waterfront, in Liverpool, as warnings of heavy snow, strong winds and blizzards grip the country.
The Beatles statues on the Pier Head waterfront, in Liverpool (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)Yellow weather warning issued
— Met Office (@metoffice) March 9, 2023
Snow and ice across northeastern parts of Scotland
Thursday 1700 â Friday 1000
Latest info https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware " pic.twitter.com/jzpjHJ5xFH
Six people have been rescued from a mountain in Co Kerry overnight amid "dangerous" conditions.
Kerry Mountain Rescue Team were responding to reports that a female hillwalker had fallen in the eastern part of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks.
It then received reports that other hillwalkers were in difficulty and found six people stuck 150 metres from the bottom of a gully.
"Conditions on the hill were very poor, rending any approach to the casualties from the bottom of the gully dangerous," it said.
Rescuers climbed to a point above the trapped people and abseiled down to them.
The casualties were secured to haul lines that were used to bring them all safely to the top of the ridge.
"Apart from being very cold and fatigued, thankfully none of the casualties were injured and the rescue concluded at approximately 1.30am," it said.
The Met Office's amber weather alert for snow and ice has been extended to Northern Ireland and Wales.
Northern Ireland is due to see a barrage between 3pm today and 4am tomorrow, while the warning is in place in parts of Wales until 9am on Friday.
The warning adds: "Heavy snow is likely to cause significant disruption through Thursday into early Friday."
It says there is a chance for rural communities to be cut off while injuries from "slips and falls are likely on icy surfaces".
Heavy snow, strong winds and blizzards grip the country (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
