Flights suspended and severe weather warnings in the north as 'thundersnow' storms grip Britain

Parts of England have been hit by heavy snow and freezing temperatures as 'thundersnow' storms continue.

18:07 29 January 2015

Parts of England are now being battered by “thundersnow” storms and experiencing freezing temperatures after causing severe travel disruption during the morning rush hour. 

 

Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said: "We have got snow falling in a number of areas in the North and West, including thunderstorms.

 

"There is thundersnow to the north of Manchester - these are normal thunderstorms but with snow rather than rain."

 

Several flights were suspended while more than 200 schools in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and northern England also closed their doors, turning students and staff away. Phone coverage is also affected. 

 

Several roads including main roads in Durham, Yorkshire, and north Wales were also closed. Meanwhile, over a dozen rail services between Manchester and York have been cancelled. 

 

Sky News forecaster Isobel Lang said: "The strong winds will blow the snow around, making driving dangerous.

 

"During this evening and tonight the showers will ease, it will turn slightly less cold, with the showers turning more to sleet or rain later. It may still be icy."

 

The Met Office has issued an amber "be prepared" warning for snow, which covers huge parts of Britain from Liverpool Bay to the Humber to the western side of the Welsh mountains. Parts of the north were given a "severe" weather warning.