The Met Office has said that “thundersnow” storms, which are thunderstorms with snow rather than rain, are occurring to the north of Manchester.
Rail services between Manchester and York have been cancelled due to the severe weather, while the Highways Agency has warned drivers of the heavy snow and the main roads in Durham and Yorkshire have been closed.
An amber weather warning has been issued by the Met Office for the north of England warning of severe cold weather, icy conditions and heavy snow until Tuesday.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: “I have asked for an update on our heavy snow contingency plans. The gritters are out and people should listen to warnings.”
A view of the snow-covered airport from delayed passenger Kirsty HallA total of 34 schools have been closed in Cumbria, where 13 centimetres of snow fell overnight, and 20 schools in Oldham, Greater Manchester, were among the dozens more closed across the north of England, while more than 130 schools have been closed in Northern Ireland.
Passengers due to fly from Manchester Airport are being asked to travel to the airport as normal for when it re-opens but are being advised to check with the airlines they are flying with for further information.
Passenger Michael Mcgaw’s view from a stranded plane on the runwayThe airport began a shutdown at 9:20am and was due to be put in place until at least 10:30 am, although the airport has not yet been reopened.
A spokesperson for the airport said: “We have currently suspended all departures and arrivals for a short period of time, whilst we are in the process of clearing both runways of snow so we can resume operations as quickly as possible.
“The safety and security of our passengers is of paramount importance and we ask for them to come to the airport as normal but to check with their airline for any further update.”
The airport’s live departure board shows a number of flights due to depart in the next hour as “cancelled” while many have the message “next information at 12:00” next to their flight information, while the arrivals board shows flights are on diversion.
A spokeswoman said that not all flights due to leave this morning had been cancelled, but all had been grounded for the time being.
Earlier this morning the airport had been open and a “handful” of planes had been forced to circle while one of the two landing runways was cleared of snow.
Passenger James Finch’s view from a grounded Etihad Airways flight to Abu DhabiThe operation to de-ice and clear the snow began at 7am and the airport’s snow team was due to switch to clear the other runway so that the “flow rate” of landings would be reduced.
Manchester Airport has a free phone number passengers can call for queries with their flights on 0800 140 4007.
