Britain set for heavy rain and flooding following snow travel chaos

The Environment Agency has issued over 250 flood alerts and warnings as heavy snow melts across the UK

Alexander Butler
Sunday 05 January 2025 23:08 GMT
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A tractor clears snow from a road in Harrogate, North Yorkshire
A tractor clears snow from a road in Harrogate, North Yorkshire (Danny Lawson/PA)

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The UK is set for more travel chaos this week as heavy snow turns to rain and flooding overnight, the Met Office warned.

The forecaster warned of heavy rainfall across much of central and southern England between Sunday and Monday morning – with bus and train services set to be affected.

Over 250 flood alerts and warnings have also been issued by the Environment Agency, with flooding expected across much of England overnight.

Follow updates here

It comes after thousands of Britons were hit by power cuts, flight cancellations and travel chaos after heavy snow swept across the UK over the weekend.

People help to push cars stuck in snow in Leeds
People help to push cars stuck in snow in Leeds (Danny Lawson/PA)

Stranded vehicles and collisions left key roads in northern England closed while rail services were cancelled and several major airports were forced to shut their doors.

Snow closed the A628 Woodhead Pass which connects Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire through the Peak District overnight in both directions between the A616 at Flouch and the A57 at Hollingworth.

The A66 in County Durham and Cumbria was closed between the M6 and A1(M) because of the conditions, while the A1 was closed southbound between the A639 North Elmsall.

The M180 in Lincolnshire was closed westbound between J5 Grimsby and J4 Lincoln due to a serious collision.

Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport also closed their runways for several hours on Sunday morning due to heavy snow.

Vehicles on the A1(M) near to junction 47, in Yorkshire, following heavy snowfall on the weekend
Vehicles on the A1(M) near to junction 47, in Yorkshire, following heavy snowfall on the weekend (Danny Lawson/PA)

Leeds Bradford Airport confirmed shortly after 2.15pm that its runway had reopened but added some disruption was expected to continue throughout the day.

It had earlier warned that access through security could be temporarily restricted due to the high number of customers already in the departure lounge awaiting flights.

National Rail said the line between Leeds and Halifax via Dewsbury was closed in both directions, with disruption on northern routes expected into Monday.

Avanti West Coast trains running to and from Liverpool Lime Street were cancelled due to depot issues with disruption expected until midday.

Bingley in West Yorkshire had 17cm of snow up to 11am on Sunday, with Shap in Cumbria and Capel Curig in north-west Wales, both recording 10cm, the forecaster said.

A blanket of snow covers Blackpool in Lancashire
A blanket of snow covers Blackpool in Lancashire (Michael Holmes/PA)

Into next week, there are seven weather warnings in place. Two yellow rain warnings are in effect until 6am and 9am on Monday across much of central and southern England.

Further north, a yellow snow and ice warning is in place across northern England until 12 noon, with snow set to disrupt travel.

A yellow ice warning is also in place across Northern Ireland until 11am. Two snow and ice warnings and one yellow snow warning are in place across Scotland.

The snow and ice warnings, covering much of northern Scotland, are in place until 11am and 12 noon on Monday. The yellow snow warning, covering some of the lowlands, is in place until 12 noon.

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