Manchester Airport has warned passengers of delays after temporarily closing its runways due to “significant levels of snow”.
It comes as large swathes of the country deal with disruption caused by the freezing weather, with the South West and south of England particularly affected by heavy snow.
In a statement on Thursday morning, the airport said: “Our runways are temporarily closed due to significant levels of snow, as our teams work hard to clear them as quickly as possible.”
The airport announced its runways had reopened at 10am, but warned “as a result of the earlier closure, some departures and arrivals may still experience delays”.
“The safety of our passengers remains our top priority. Thank you for your understanding and patience,” it added.
It follows warnings of widespread disruption issued by forecasters earlier, with temperatures expected to plummet to as low as -16C in some areas.
Snow, ice and fog warnings were issued, following severe weather on Wednesday.
Commuters wait for a tram on a snow-covered platform in Manchester. Pic: Reuters
All of the warnings are yellow, meaning there is a danger of injury from slips and falls and some disruption to travel expected.
The A30 in Cornwall was closed westbound between the A3047 junctions Avers and Tolvaddon following a multiple vehicle collision, according to National Highways.
It said at 8.45am that emergency services were at the scene while traffic built on the roads.
Devon and Cornwall Police and Devon County Council Highways had earlier warned of roads closing and motorists being stationary for “long periods of time” in a joint statement.
Snow ploughs became stuck in queues of traffic caused by “minor incidents”, the statement added.
Temperatures are expected to fall as low as -16C on Thursday night both in the northeast of England and Scotland, the Met Office has said.
A yellow warning for snow and ice is in place for northern Scotland until midnight on Thursday and another snow and ice warning is in force for Northern Ireland until 11am on Thursday as sleet and snow showers are set to continue.
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Met office weather warnings for Thursday Pic: Met Office
Icicles hang from the Killhope Lead Mine in Durham. Pic: PA
A further yellow warning for snow and ice affecting Cornwall, much of Wales and parts of northwest England has been issued until 11am.
There was also a yellow ice warning issued for parts of southern England and south-east Wales until 10.30am and a yellow fog warning for Northern Ireland until 9am.
Yeadon, West Yorkshire Pic: Allan Fawcett via PA
Snow covers a vehicle in Buxton. Pic: Reuters
Snow covers the Killhope Lead Mine in Durham. Pic: PA
Travel disruption to road and rail services are likely on Thursday in the warning areas, as well as the potential for accidents in icy places, the forecaster said.
As icy conditions persist, motorists are being urged to stick to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted.
Car insurer RAC said it has seen the highest levels of demand for rescues in a three-day period since December 2022.
