Heavy snow is causing disruption to transport and schools across the UK, with heavy rainfall bringing flooding to the south-west of England.
In Devon and Cornwall homes have flooded and one has partially collapsed following a landslip.
The Environment Agency has 18 flood warnings in place for the South West. The Met Office has two amber warnings for snow, covering much of the UK.
Hundreds of schools across the UK have been closed due to the weather.
Forecasters said the snow would cause travel disruption across northern parts of the UK on Friday, with some 20cm-40cm (8in-16in) falling in places.
In other developments:
- In Northern Ireland some 40,000 homes and businesses have lost electricity supplies due to storm force winds and snow. George Best Belfast City Airport’s runway is closed and many schools are closed
- In Scotland, heavy snow in Dumfries and Galloway is causing hazardous driving conditions
- Schools, colleges and roads have been closed by snow and high winds in mid and north Wales
- In Cornwall, torrential overnight rain has caused a house which is converted into flats in Looe to partially collapse after a landslip. Areas including Newlyn, Penzance, Mevagissy and St Ives are flooded. The A39 in Perranarworthal is closed at Norway Inn because of flooding
- Roads have been affected, including one lane of the M62 westbound between J25 A644 (Brighouse) and J22 A672 (Rishworth Moor) blocked due to snow, and the M1 blocked in both directions in Derbyshire, six miles east of Chesterfield
- Areas of Devon, including Ashburton, were also affected while, in two separate incidents in Plymstock, people were rescued by fire crews after being stuck in their cars in flood water
- Leeds Bradford Airport has reopened after flights were earlier grounded due to snow, but delays are expected
BBC forecasters said roads in northern parts of Wales, the Midlands into the Pennines, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland would be the worst affected on Friday, while gale force winds would blow snow and drifts across trans-Pennine routes.
Heavy snow could continue into Saturday and Sunday. The warnings come just over a week before the start of British Summer Time.
Sgt Dave Opara, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “There has been a considerable amount of rainfall across the force area.
“There will be more to come throughout the night so the situation is not going to get much better too soon.”
As well as setting flood warnings, which mean “flooding is expected, immediate action required,” in the South West, the Environment Agency also has 80 flood alerts, meaning “flooding is possible, be prepared,” across England.
Spokesman Ben Johnstone said: “We strongly urge people to sign up to flood warnings on the Environment Agency website, keep a close eye on local weather forecasts and be prepared for possible flooding.”
People should not try to wade or drive through any deep water, he added.
Hampden warning
The Met Office has one amber warning, which means “be prepared,” for rain for some southern parts of Cornwall and Devon.
There are two amber warnings for snow in place, one for parts of the north Midlands, north-east Wales and north-west England, and another for parts of Northern Ireland.
There are also yellow warnings, meaning “be aware,” in place for areas including parts of eastern Scotland and parts of south-west Scotland.
Belfast International Airport has warned passengers there could be delays on Friday and Saturday because of heavy rain and snow.
Transport Scotland urged fans travelling to the World Cup qualifier between Scotland and Wales at Glasgow’s Hampden stadium on Friday night to check travel information throughout the day in case of disruption.
AA head of operations Darron Burness, meanwhile, has warned of “a real witches’ brew of driving wind, rain and snow” for drivers across the UK.
“Drivers should be well prepared as even short journeys can quickly turn bad,” he said.
“Wherever you’re going, take plenty of warm layers, check the travel reports before heading out and stick to the main roads where possible.”
BBC
