https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9146047/UK-weather-Britons-wake-snow-nearly-FOOT-set-fall-today.htmlWeather chaos sweeps Britain: Torrential rain causes commuter hell with dozens of trains cancelled due to flooded lines in south while blizzards bring mayhem in north and Scotland with MORE snow on the way
Amber weather warning covers parts of eastern Scotland, County Durham and Northumberland today
Overnight temperatures falling to -7C (19F) in eastern England while Scotland could plunge to -12C (10F)
Snow and ice is predicted through today down the length of the Pennines as far south as the Peak Distric
Rest of England will see heavy rain particularly in London and South East, while Wales will be mostly dry
By Mark Duell for MailOnline and Richard Marsden and Paul Drury For The Daily Mail
Published: 07:39, 14 January 2021 | Updated: 18:02, 14 January 2021
Mother nature hammered Britain with torrential rain flooding rail lines and stations in the south east while families in the north and Scotland were knee-deep in snow and forced to dig their way out of home. Torrential rain caused hell for workers commuting to and from Essex today as train operator c2c announced dozens of train cancellations and delays due to heavy rainfall flooding across the network. Meanwhile much of northern England and Scotland experienced snowfall throughout the day, with more wintry weather forecast for the weekend and into next week as temperatures plunge well below freezing to -12C (10F). Severe conditions were witnessed on roads across West Yorkshire in the likes of Huddersfield, Halifax, Leeds and Bradford following multiple crashes in the snow, with traffic very slow on the M6, A57 and A672. In Leeds, the council suspended rubbish collections for the rest of the day 'in the interests of customer and staff safety' amid blizzards, while public transport was disrupted after 11 buses became stuck in snow on Kirkstall Hill. In Greater Manchester, there was heavy congestion after traffic was stopped on the M62 as heavy rain battered the region with queues stretching along two junctions due to bumps and stranded vehicles. There were long delays on the M2 near Chatham in Kent after a vehicle overturned in heavy rain and a man was rescued through the roof by firefighters with cutting equipment, while flooding also closed some local roads. Up to a foot (30cm) of snow is expected on high ground today with overnight temperatures falling to -7C (19F) in eastern England and the wind chill making it feel even colder, while Scotland could drop to -12C (10F). Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which is operating one of England's seven mass vaccination centres at the Centre for Life in the city, has urged the elderly to rebook to their jabs to avoid the treacherous conditions. A trust spokesman said today: 'We're advising older people who are booked for their Covid-19 vaccine at the Centre for Life today to rebook for another day when the weather is better. It's easy to do by calling 119.'
One resident of Bradford claimed Royal Mail said it could not deliver his post because his home was 'inaccessible', while the Met Office said 4in (11cm) of snow had already fallen in Perth and Kinross area by 9am. It comes as:
The Environment Agency imposed more than 100 flood alerts and warnings across England;
Flooding hit motorways in Greater Manchester including the M62 and deluged a pub in Kent;
Heavy snow is expected to continue until at least 9pm tonight before returning on Saturday;
Southern parts of England were hit by heavy rain and sleet is possible in London this weekend.
An amber weather warning covering parts of eastern Scotland, County Durham and Northumberland was in force until the mid-morning, amid fears of a second 'Beast from the East' this winter in the coming weeks. Snow and ice is predicted through today down the length of the Pennines as far south as the Peak District, in Cumbria and the North York Moors, where a lesser, yellow weather warning applies until 9pm tonight. The rest of England will see heavy rainfall, particularly in London and the South East, while Wales and Northern Ireland will stay mostly dry. Tomorrow will bring a foggy start with most areas becoming dry and bright later. More than 100 parts of England are on flood watch, with 94 alerts and 17 warnings issued while the Fenn Bell Inn pub in Hoo, Kent, was deluged after nearly a foot of water flooded inside with local properties also under threat. Met Office meteorologist Nicky Maxey said on Thursday that unsettled conditions are set to last into next week, and she urged people to be alert for new warnings from the forecaster. She said: 'We've seen snow leave the M62 Yorkshire area and journeying now into the Vales or Yorkshire. It will push further south as we go through the day, likely to go down to the Midlands but becoming less intense. It becomes more patchy and the chances of it sticking reduce. When we go into tomorrow there may well be an ice warning issued, we are certainly looking at some potential for frost. With the temperatures warming up through the day there's potential the snow starts melting. If it freezes overnight there's a chance of frost and ice tomorrow morning.'
In Scotland, families were urged to stay indoors amid a countrywide white-out. Police asked drivers not to travel unless essential and the Government advised those who are on the move to pack warm clothes and food supplies. The Met Office warned that there is 'no doubt' there will be travel disruption in Scotland amid concern for motorists on motorways including the M8, M9, M90 and M74, which lie at the heart of the amber warning area. Areas such as the Highlands, Grampian, Tayside, Central, Fife, the Lothians, Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders are set for even more severe blizzards. Oliver Claydon of the Met Office said: 'These are significant accumulations of snow we are predicting. There is no question we will see travel disruption, particularly on higher routes.'
Local authorities deployed their fleets of gritters in anticipation of the snowfall. Cabinet Secretary for Transport Michael Matheson said: 'The Met Office is telling us to expect a period of challenging weather. The conditions will likely cause difficult driving conditions and disruption to the wider transport network, so it's important that anyone that has to make an essential journey during the warning period plans their journey. Pedestrians should also be aware that pavements are likely to be affected by ice, so make sure you use the appropriate clothing and footwear if you have to go out for an essential purpose.'
Police Scotland warned against travelling in the wintry weather. Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock said: 'Government restrictions on travelling remain in place across Scotland because of the ongoing pandemic. 'People should not leave their homes unless for essential purposes and work from home where possible. The best way to stay safe is to stay at home. In the current wintry weather please consider if your journey is exempt under the regulations and also if it really is essential and whether you can delay it until the weather improves.'
Looking ahead, a further warning has been issued for heavy snow this weekend as far south as Leicestershire and Lincolnshire during a warning on Saturday from 3am until 9pm and some sleet is expected in London. The heaviest snowfall on Saturday is likely in areas at least 650ft (200m) above sea level, where up to 8in (20cm) could fall. At lower levels, up to 2in (5cm) snow could accumulate while lower-lying places will see rain. At the weekend, snow is likely across the whole of northern England, Yorkshire and down through the East Midlands. The Met Office predicts flurries as a band of rain pushing eastwards is due to turn to snow. Travel disruption, power cuts and disruption to mobile phone coverage are also possible. In its warning for Saturday, which also covers most of Scotland, the Met Office said: 'A band of heavy snow may lead to disruption. There is a small chance of travel delays on roads with some vehicles and passengers becoming stranded, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel. There is a small chance that power cuts will occur.'
The Met Office also warned people could become injured from slips and falls on icy untreated pavements and footpaths. There will be a brief respite during Sunday, which is set to be mostly fine and dry. But northerly winds through next week will then bring 'cold conditions from Scandinavia', the Met Office said.
Its forecast for next week said: 'Rainfall is also expected for the north with a risk of organised snowfall especially over high ground. Drier in the south with the potential for frontal bands bringing rain and or snow at times. Temperatures are most likely to be rather cold for much of the UK.'
The chilly forecast follows atmospheric changes similar to those which brought the spell of extreme wintry weather known as the Beast from the East three years ago, which brought a lengthy spell of wintry weather and severe snowfall which left Pennine villages cut off. An unusual meteorological event known as sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) was detected above the North Pole on January 5. Dr Richard Hall, an expert in SSWs from the University of Bristol, said it 'loads the dice' or 'tips the odds' in favour of another blast of heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures from Siberia. During an SSW the stratosphere the layer six to 31 miles above the Earth's surface - can increase in temperature by up to 50C over a matter of days. This disturbance can travel down through the atmosphere to the Earth's surface and cause shifts in the jet stream, the fast-moving air currents that cool Europe. Dr Hall said an SSW happens 'every two years in three' and one is 'taking place at the moment'. In 2018, there was an SSW event two weeks before the 'Beast from the East' brought 20in (50cm) snowfalls. But John Griffiths, a Met Office forecaster, has dismissed any link between this week's weather and the 'Beast from the East 2', simply saying the conditions are 'normal' for the winter weather cycle. He said: 'On Thursday a band of rain, sleet and snow will hit parts of Scotland and northern England, which will slowly extend south to the Midlands as the day progresses. It is expected to be very cold in these areas, dropping below 0C (32F) in Scotland and parts of northern England. This will start to gradually ease and die out during the evening, with frost and freezing fog coming in.'
Royal Mail workers are refusing to deliver post to areas that have been deemed 'inaccessible' due to snow. One social media user from Bradford Valley, West Yorkshire, tweeted a tracking update from the postal service, reading: 'Delivery attempted address inaccessible'. Alongside the screenshot, he posted an image showing a light dusting of snow on his road, captioning: 'Apparently a couple of centimetres of snow has rendered my address inaccessible to Royal Mail. 'Hope Ocado are made of sterner stuff later!!!!'
It follows the courier revealing 28 delivery 'blackspots' which are suffering from limited postal services as more of its workforce is affected by Covid-19. Meanwhile, parts of northern England and Scotland woke up to heavy snowfall this morning with more wintry weather forecast for the weekend and into next week. This disturbance can travel down through the atmosphere to the Earth's surface and cause shifts in the jet stream, the fast-moving air currents that cool Europe. Dr Hall said an SSW happens 'every two years in three' and one is 'taking place at the moment'. In 2018, there was an SSW event two weeks before the 'Beast from the East' brought 20in (50cm) snowfalls. But John Griffiths, a Met Office forecaster, has dismissed any link between this week's weather and the 'Beast from the East 2', simply saying the conditions are 'normal' for the winter weather cycle. He said: 'On Thursday a band of rain, sleet and snow will hit parts of Scotland and northern England, which will slowly extend south to the Midlands as the day progresses. 'It is expected to be very cold in these areas, dropping below 0C (32F) in Scotland and parts of northern England. This will start to gradually ease and die out during the evening, with frost and freezing fog coming in.'
What a shower of snowflakes! Royal Mail posties refuse to deliver package due to a light dusting of snow
Royal Mail workers are refusing to deliver post to areas that have been deemed 'inaccessible' due to snow. One social media user from Bradford Valley, West Yorkshire, tweeted a tracking update from the postal service, reading: 'Delivery attempted address inaccessible'. Alongside the screenshot, he posted an image showing a light dusting of snow on his road, captioning: 'Apparently a couple of centimetres of snow has rendered my address inaccessible to Royal Mail. Hope Ocado are made of sterner stuff later!!!!'
It follows the courier revealing 28 delivery 'blackspots' which are suffering from limited postal services as more of its workforce is affected by Covid-19. Meanwhile, parts of northern England and Scotland woke up to heavy snowfall this morning with more wintry weather forecast for the weekend and into next week. Other Twitter users also complained to the postal service about their addresses being labelled as 'inaccessible', with one posting: 'Notification from Royal Mail that they are unable to deliver today as my address is inaccessible. 'But moments before the large council recycling lorry managed to access my street and address. I would've expected better.'
Another wrote yesterday: 'Royal Mail is my worst enemy rn. How is the address inaccessible two days in a row but the item is being delivered to a POST OFFICE?'
A third added: 'Absolutely adore to shell out for next day delivery and then have Royal Mail tell me that my office address is 'inaccessible for delivery', and yet somehow deliver all of my post except the parcel I paid for. love that for me'.
However, a fourth shared an image of snow blanketing cars outside, captioning: 'When you're about to call Royal Mail with a long complaint about how they are morons for not being able to deliver but quickly pull out when you look outside.'
In a statement published with the list on its website, Royal Mail previously said it was 'working hard to deliver the most comprehensive and high quality service we can to all our customers'.
'The combination of greatly increased uptake of online shopping, and the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, mean that all delivery companies are experiencing exceptionally high volumes,' the statement said.
'Despite our best efforts and significant investment in extra resource, some customers may experience slightly longer delivery timescales than our usual service standards. 'This is due to the exceptionally high volumes we are seeing, exacerbated by the coronavirus-related measures we have put in place in local mail centres and delivery offices to keep our people and customers safe. In such cases, we always work hard to get back to providing our usual level of service as quickly as we can.'
Trial over Libby Squire's death is called off for the day due to heavy snow
The trial of a butcher accused of raping and murdering 21-year-old student Libby Squire has been called off for the day because of the snow. In the case of Pawel Relowicz, three jurors could not get to Sheffield Crown Court due to the weather, the judge told the members of the panel who could make it in.
