Schools shut as snow blankets North with ‘severe’ warnings extended as far south as Sheffield

SCHOOLS have closed today as snow blankets the north and warnings for severe weather are extended as far south as Sheffield.

A whopping eight inches of snow could fall throughout today as forecasters issue alerts for rare 'thundersnow' across most of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

A warning for lightning storms is also in place north of the border.

After temperatures plunged overnight, "gusty winds", heavy snowfall and lighting will make driving difficult, the Met Office says.

Higher regions will see up to 7.8 inches of snow in the latest weather spell - with lower levels blanketed in 2.8 inches.

Schools in various parts of Northern Ireland were unable to open on Thursday morning due to the snow, after the area was blanketed overnight.

Counties Fermanagh, Tyrone, Londonderry and Antrim were worst hit by the wintry conditions.

People in Belfast also woke up to snowy scenes on Thursday morning.

The regions under the yellow snow and lightening warning - which lasts until 8pm tonight - include Central, Tayside and Fife, Lothian Borders, South West Scotland, Highlands and Eilean Siar and Strathclyde.

A second warning for snow and ice has been issued - stretching from the north of Scotland to Manchester.

Drivers are urged to watch out for icy patches on some untreated roads in the affected area.

The Environment Agency (EA) said people living in parts of the West Midlands and Yorkshire - especially those along the Rivers Severn, Aire and Ouse - should prepare for significant flooding following high rainfall from Storm Franklin.

Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin left 1.4 million households without power, some for up to 72 hours, and dozens of properties near the River Severn were evacuated.

One severe flood warning, meaning there is a danger to life, has been issued for the River Severn at Wribbenhall, Bewdley, where levels could overtop the defences, the agency said.

Around 400 properties have flooded across different parts of the country as a result of the heavy rain.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said 40,000 homes had been protected by flood defences, as he was quizzed on flooding and the lack of permanent defences on the River Severn at the National Farmers' Union conference.

He said: "The Severn has had some issues particularly around Bewdley and Ironbridge and also some issues as well around Shrewsbury, but actually the defences that we have put in place have been very successful, as they were two years ago, protecting those communities.

"We know there are around 40,000 homes that have been protected by the flood defences put in place and on the Severn in particular we have these rather innovative demountable barriers that enable you to use the river normally most of the year.

"And then when the flood risk arises, we put up temporary barriers alongside the river, and those have been remarkably successful at reducing the flood risk particularly along the Severn, and have been again this time."

While there had been some flooding it remained relatively low, he said.

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"It obviously is a tragedy for those who do get flooded, but in the context of the 40,000 homes that we've protected through the flood defences we've got in place, you always have to keep that in mind," Mr Eustice added.

Katharine Smith, flood duty manager at the EA, said significant river flooding is expected in the coming days as she advised people to stay away from swollen rivers.

She said: "We are still facing a significant flooding risk, and we are urging people to remain vigilant and take extreme care.

"Heavy rain, affecting already wet areas, is likely to cause significant river flooding along the River Severn over the next few days.

"So far we have received reports of around 400 properties having flooded over the past few days. Our thoughts go out to all those affected - flooding can and does have a devastating impact on people's lives.

"We have teams out on the ground taking preventative action, closing flood gates, deploying temporary barriers and moving pumps and other response equipment to areas of highest risk. Environment Agency defences have protected more than 40,000 properties despite record river levels.

"We advise people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car."