The Met Office has issued three weather warnings after heavy snowfall forced drivers to abandon their cars amid widespread travel chaos.
A major incident was declared by police in Cumbria as the north west was subjected to the worst of the snowy downpours – and one local resident said it felt ‘more like the Alps or a ski resort’ than England.
Hundreds of stranded vehicles were left on the M6 and major A-roads as they became impassable due to the treacherous conditions.
People were urged to only travel if absolutely necessary while snow ploughs and gritters have been out all night in an attempt to clear the way.
A rare amber weather warning for 10-15cm of snow that could completely ‘cut off’ towns was issued in Cumbria on Saturday and expired at midnight.
But the Met Office has put a further three in place on Sunday, including one for snow and ice in the Midlands and north of England until noon.
Birmingham, Nottingham, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Hull are among the cities affected and forecasters say travel is likely to be affected and people could suffer ‘injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces’.
A yellow warning for ice from will last until 11am in Cumbria and north Lancashire, stating that a ‘few snow flurries may continue into the early hours of Sunday, but the main hazard will be refreezing of any melted snow, or freezing of lying snow’.
Another ice warning is in place until 8am for London, the east of England, the West Midlands and parts of South Wales.
The weather service warned that areas of rain or sleet falling on frozen surfaces may lead to icy conditions.
It added: ‘Rain or sleet is expected to spread from west to east across the area overnight, falling on to frozen surfaces and leading to icy patches, perhaps even where treatment has been applied.’
On Saturday, Ambleside resident Harrison Ward said the snow was the heaviest he had seen during eight years of living in the Cumbrian town, adding that lots of people had abandoned their vehicles on Saturday as they ‘tried to find refuge’.
Mr Ward, who works as an outdoor cook, said: ‘It really feels like you’re walking through the Alps or some ski resort at the moment.’
He added: ‘Once a few cars have stopped or crashed or been abandoned, then it all comes to a halt.
‘So we’ve seen complete gridlock through the town with lots of wheel spinning going on – there’s a real smell of burnt clutches in the air.
‘Some vehicles moved about 100 metres in an hour’s time.’
While not everywhere will see accumulating snow, some places are likely to see 1-3cm, the Met Office said, with 5-10cm possible over some hills and mountains in Wales, the Peak District and South Pennines.
It warned that some roads and railways are likely to be affected, with longer journey times by road, bus and train.
Glasgow Airport temporarily suspended all flights on Saturday morning but later resumed,
Meanwhile London Stansted Airport warned of cancellations and delays on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
The UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office have issued amber cold health alerts in five regions – the East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber – until December 5.
It means ‘cold weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service for an extended period of time’.
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