Snow to hit northern areas as cold start to March continues

Updated

Parts of the UK could wake up to almost four inches of snow on Friday morning as March continues to feel more like winter than spring.

Weather warnings are in place for Northern Ireland, north Wales, northern and western England and Scotland as a frontal system continues to make its way in from the Atlantic.

The greatest snowfall, up to 3.9ins, is forecast to hit the Peak District and the Pennines as daytime temperatures on Friday in northern England struggle to reach 4C (39.2F) in Leeds and Manchester, and 3C (37.4F) in Bradford.

In the early hours of Friday just over an inch had fallen across high ground in northern England, including at Leeds Bradford Airport in West Yorkshire where flights were delayed.

Similar snowfall was recorded at Leek in Staffordshire and Shap in Cumbria, and several A roads were closed over the high Pennines in south Yorkshire.

The Met Office yellow warnings cover snow and ice and warn of difficult driving conditions and the likelihood of travel disruption as a result.

Forecaster Alex Burkill said: "There could definitely be some significant accumulations by the time people wake up.

"It's going to be pretty chilly and it's going to feel pretty unpleasant in some parts."

Highways England said no disruption had been seen on major routes ahead of the morning rush hour.

While the south and south-east will escape the snowfall on Friday, experiencing a mostly dry and clear day, those areas are likely to be in store for a soggy Saturday, Mr Burkill said.

"The frontal system will push its way eastwards as we go through Saturday morning, bringing rain so it is not looking like a great day across many eastern and south-eastern parts of England," he said.

Temperatures could reach 10C (50F) in London on Friday, while Scotland will see 6C (42.8F) to 7C (44.6F), although the "cold zone" across northern England and north Wales will remain wintry.

Strong, north-easterly winds and wintry showers in many places will ensure temperatures remain below normal at least until the middle of next week.

Mr Burkill said: "Late next week is probably the best that we can hope for, for temperatures to pick up."

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