Snow and rain cause Bank Holiday delays

Heavy rain and snow closed roads and caused disruption for travellers on Easter Monday as yellow weather warnings were issued for most of the UK.

Up to 10cm (4ins) of snow blanketed areas of north England, north Wales and Scotland, while torrential rain lashed southern swathes as millions of motorists returned from Bank Holiday celebrations.

There are currently 206 flood alerts and 23 flood warnings across the UK, according to the Met Office, with more than 40mm of rain falling in parts.

Many sporting fixtures also had to be abandoned due to icy pitches and poor conditions.

Images posted online showed roads and parks submerged underwater and cars struggling on snow-covered motorways in what the AA warned was likely to be one of the busiest bank holidays in recent years.

Meteorologist Alex Burkill said: "A weather system has moved up from the south west which has hit existing cold air.

"That's why we've seen a band of heavy rain falling with snow and sleet mixed in.

"The rain and snow are going to push northward, meaning it will get worse in Scotland, but for most parts it's an improving picture as the week goes on."

Brighter and milder conditions are expected in the south as Monday gives way to Tuesday, with temperatures around the mid-teens possible, he added.

Yellow warnings mean that weather is likely to cause an impact on daily routines such as driving.

Road closures on Monday included:

- The A616 in South Yorkshire in both directions between A628 (Hazelhead) and A6102 (Deepcar).

- The A628 WoodheadPass in both directions due to snowy weather conditions between the A616 and A57.

- Four roads in Derbyshire: The A53 at Axe Edge, A54/A537 at the Cat and Fiddle, A57 Snake Pass and the A6024 at Holme Moss.

- The A14 westbound exit slip at Junction 28 near Cambridge owing to flooding.

The AA warned motorists to take extra care and said the bank holiday weekend was "likely to be one of the busiest on the roads in recent years".

It is not unusual weather for April, with the month seeing an average of 2.3 snow days each year.

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