London (AP) — Severe weather conditions, including heavy snow and freezing rain, have caused significant disruption across the United Kingdom. Major airports have been compelled to halt flights, while key roads in the north of England have become impassable.
The current forecast indicates that the inclement weather is expected to persist into Sunday, raising concerns about the potential isolation of rural communities. Accumulations of up to 40 centimeters (15 inches) of snow have been reported at elevations exceeding 300 meters (985 feet).
The National Grid, responsible for managing the country’s electricity network, has been actively working to restore power following widespread outages. An interactive map displayed by the company has revealed power cuts in Birmingham, located in central England, Bristol in the west, and Cardiff in Wales.
Numerous sporting events have already been postponed due to the adverse weather conditions. However, the Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Manchester United remains scheduled to take place, pending further assessment.
John Lennon Airport in Liverpool and Manchester Airport were compelled to close their runways and redirect flights. Birmingham Airport also suspended operations for a period overnight, although it anticipates returning to normal services on Sunday.
The road network has also been severely impacted, particularly as many individuals were expected to be traveling home following the Christmas and New Year break, as well as students returning to universities.
On the rail network, a significant number of services have been canceled, with National Rail cautioning that disruptions may persist into the upcoming workweek.
The Met Office, Britain’s primary weather forecasting service, has projected that the sleet and snow will continue moving northward on Sunday, with the heaviest precipitation anticipated in northern England and southern Scotland. Following a brief period of freezing rain, conditions in the south are expected to moderate.
Frost and icy patches are expected to persist into the early part of the week. However, Monday and Tuesday are forecast to be drier, with intervals of sunshine and isolated wintry showers.
