LONDON -- Snow started falling across northern parts of the UK Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, closing hundreds of schools in Scotland and Northern Ireland and halting flights in and out of Manchester Airport.
The Met Office flagged the inclement weather conditions, issuing severe weather warnings for snow, rain, wind, fog and ice -- a messy and disruptive collection!
"Snow amounts will be very variable, but over 5 cm will accumulate at lower levels in places - with over 15 cm on high ground. Strong and gusty winds will lead to drifting and blizzard conditions at times, especially over higher routes," the Met Office said in a weather warning.
"The public should be prepared for travel disruption and hazardous driving conditions."
Why are we seeing colder weather? It's because the wind is now coming from Greenland and Iceland #UKsnow pic.twitter.com/mBxCmjUpZ4— Met Office (@metoffice) January 28, 2015
Manchester
Passengers were stuck on the runway in Manchester Airport where arrivals and departures were suspended Thursday morning, with flights being diverted.
Manchester Airport currently closed to all apps & deps due to snow (Source @skynews) @manairport pic.twitter.com/sg6GcshjVZ— Airport Webcams (@AirportWebcams) January 29, 2015
Some were tweeting their frustration.
Not looking good at Manchester. Airport shut for 45 mins and people tweeting they are stuck on their planes. pic.twitter.com/tMD8RVDdAj— Emma Glasbey (@emmaglasbey) January 29, 2015
Runway shut but we have boarded. Because I really need to spend as long as possible on a plane with a toddler. pic.twitter.com/B6iPxObf3M— Emma Glasbey (@emmaglasbey) January 29, 2015
Scotland
Disruption was reported on a number of major routes, with incidents being reported.
Very #SNOWY in #Glasgow now! PLEASE #SlowDown & keep back from car in front! Drive to road conditions & #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/DT8iyYw3zG— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) January 28, 2015
Current road surface conditions A7 Terrona #DriveSafe #Winterinfo pic.twitter.com/Nn9Wjxwg9J— Amey SE Trunk Roads (@SETrunkRoads) January 29, 2015
#A9 North to south again as we go into the evening - varying #snow conditions #beprepared #drivesafe pic.twitter.com/ynyhci2D08— BEAR NW Trunk Roads (@NWTrunkRoads) January 28, 2015
There were snow days for 100 schools in parts of Dumfries and Galloway as well as in the Highlands, but as police in Edinburgh noted, many children weren't so lucky.
Snow - when we were wee the boiler would break down and you'd get the day off. Doesn't happen now so drive carefully around schools today.— EdinburghEastPolice (@EdinEastPolice) January 29, 2015
Northern Ireland
There were heavy snowfalls in parts of Northern Ireland with some roads left impassable, while hundreds of schools in the six counties were shut.
#Newry short time ago A1 down to 1 lanes in places Hilltown Rd impassable at 7 sisters Slow Down and take a... https://t.co/l106336Epu— PSNI Newry & Mourne (@PSNINewry) January 29, 2015
@newslineweather heavy snow in Armagh last night pic.twitter.com/8fz8gIEJHM— The Rug House (@therughouse) January 29, 2015
However, the snow did mean there were very pretty views of Belfast from above Thursday morning!
@barrabest @angie_weather @officialcoolfm Belfast this morning courtesy of Flybe! pic.twitter.com/JWaILajbcn— Thomas Sanderson NI (@TSDesignersNI) January 29, 2015