On the M25 in Hertfordshire overnight, hundreds of cars became trapped for many hours as snow and ice wrecked havoc on the roadways.
As automobiles slid and struggled in the deep snow, traffic came to a complete halt. Passengers who were stuck slept on airport floors as they waited for the Arctic blast to pass.
After snow fell in several areas of the UK yesterday night, and with up to 10cm more snow predicted today, additional travel disruption is anticipated on the roads, trains, and at airports, as well as closures of schools.
The Met Office has issued snow and ice weather warnings for parts of northern Scotland and southeast and eastern England.
As most of the UK will struggle to get above freezing on Monday, fog and ice warnings are in effect for Northern Ireland, for much of England, and for portions of Wales.
Significant snowfall occurred over night in certain areas of the southeast of England, and ice conditions were caused by the combination of wintry showers and cold temperatures.
The cautions come as four kids who fell through ice on a frozen lake in Solihull, West Midlands, on Sunday continue to be in serious condition in the hospital.
After early reports and a video posted on social media stated “up to six” kids had fallen into the river at Babbs Mill Park, Richard Stanton, area commander for West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service, said this morning that a search effort was still underway.
“Explore activities have proceeded throughout yesterday and will continue today to search the whole lake,” he said in a statement to BBC Radio 4 Today. “Initial reports claimed that there were up to six persons that had gone into the water.”
In light of the frigid conditions that have descended upon the UK today, Mr. Stanton advised people to exercise caution around lakes and stressed the need of calling emergency services as soon as possible.
Following many incidents, motorway traffic interruption is anticipated; motorists are encouraged to exercise caution on important thoroughfares.
Due to substantial snowfall already and more expected later, National Highways advised road users in the southeast of England to avoid traveling unless it was absolutely necessary.
According to the organization, Kent was especially heavily impacted, with snow having a significant effect on the M2, M20 around junctions 8 and 9, A21, and A249 and making it difficult for traffic to pass.
‘We have been out gritting throughout the day and we’re continuing to treat roads so we can reach the worst-affected regions and help our customers with their trips,’ said Gina Oxley, the duty operations manager for National Highways in the area.
For anybody considering traveling (on Sunday night), we advise against it unless it is absolutely necessary since heavy snowfall is predicted to last until 9 am (Monday).
Gatwick Airport advised travelers to check before departing, while Heathrow Airport said that it was limiting the number of takeoffs and landings today.
After being forced to shut its runway owing to heavy weather late night, Stansted Airport has grounded all flights.
The runway at London Stansted Airport is temporarily closed to allow for snow removal owing to weather conditions, and all flights are currently stopped, according to a statement from the Essex airport.
Flight delays have previously occurred as a result of aircraft de-icing, which is the ground handler’s duty. The safety of the aircraft and its passengers is of utmost importance.
It is advisable for passengers to contact their airline to find out the status of their flights.
Today, all UK schools were closed due to a warning not to travel unless it was absolutely necessary.
While the train strikes were occurring, many commuters decided to remain at home rather than risky excursions.
Cobra will examine emergency measures for this month’s attacks today, including the potential involvement of military troops and government employees in an effort to minimize disruption.
Snow and ice, according to National Rail, severely disrupted its whole south-eastern network on Sunday night, and delays would last into Monday, “especially in the morning.”
The first trains in each direction on all lines will be canceled, according to Network Rail, “to enable Network Rail to ensure that the tracks are free of snow and ice, which may prevent trains from collecting power from the electric rail.”
Following yesterday night’s disruption, “We also have several trains in the incorrect place, resulting in additional cancellations of services throughout the network.”
Snow and ice delays, which would last into the morning, were advised to travellers by Southeastern Railway, which departs from London Waterloo.
The whole Tube network was also severely disrupted, with several lines partially halted or facing major or minor delays.
Before leaving, people were encouraged to examine their routes.
The UK has not seen a temperature this low since February of last year. The temperature has reached -15C in Braemar, Aberdeenshire.
The northern and south-western Scotland, Northern Ireland, north-eastern England, the Midlands and South West, as well as London and the South East are all covered by the yellow warnings from Sunday night until Monday morning.
The far South East of England is expected to have continuous rain, sleet, or snow as the day progresses into the evening, for which a yellow warning is in effect starting at 6 p.m. on Sunday, according to Met Office meteorologist Rachel Ayers.
The most impacted counties are Kent and Sussex, with higher land and locations that are more exposed, such as the North and South Downs, expecting the heaviest accumulations of 2 to 5 cm (or perhaps 10 cm) of snow.
This is true until 9am on Monday. “Ice will be developing, especially towards the coast where there is rain and sleet, and freezing temperatures that might cause some transport inconvenience.”
Ms. Ayers said that while snow showers, freezing fog, and frigid temperatures are anticipated throughout the week, cloud cover may keep some of the more severe temperatures from occurring.
She said that it is still too early to say for sure whether significantly warmer weather would arrive the following weekend.
The AA has encouraged drivers to prepare for the icy road conditions on Monday morning.
»Snow and ice stop hundreds of motorists overnight on Hertfordshire’s M25«