Flights delayed and airport runway closed as snow hits UK – but rain to wash it out and country issued with dozens of flood alerts
SNOWFALL plunged flight plans into chaos this morning after the white stuff closed two runways at Manchester Airport and caused several delays.
Four flights were diverted to other airports and planes were prevented from taking off because of poor visibility.
One runway was reportedly shut for between 15 and 20 minutes because visibility was at just 1,500m.
This morning's travel chaos has come after the Met Office issued a yellow warning of ice and snow.
Manchester Airport tweeted: "The white stuff has officially landed.
";As always in wintery conditions pls leave more time to get here (sic).
"Flights may be subject to delays too."
Drivers across the UK have been warned to be wary of black ice as temperatures plummet below zero in some parts of the country.
The snowfall swept across the north of the country overnight as 44 flood alerts and a single flood warning were issued for the UK.
A red "take immediate action" warning has been issued for the Keswick Campsite in the Lake District after heavy rainfall left the level of the Derwentwater lake dangerously high.
There are 44 amber "be prepared" alerts in place in mostly coastal and sea front areas with showers expected in the coming days.
A Met Office spokesperson said: "There's a narrow band of showers sweeping over Manchester and the snowfall there is likely to be short-lived today.
"If the snowfall continues it is likely to only fall on higher ground in the north of England and Scotland.
"Should snow return this week it is predicted it will only fall on hilly areas in the North.
"The outlook for the rest of the week is mainly showers with sunny spells for most of the UK."
The Met Office has warned people to brace for severely cold weather, icy conditions and heavy snow as temperatures plunge below freezing.
Elderly people and those with health conditions have been urged to take extra care as Britain wraps up for a bitter start to spring tomorrow.
Thermometers will plunge to -8C over the next couple of nights while daytime highs will struggle to get out of single figures.
Despite this morning's wintry conditions, the Met Office has said the snow is likely to die out later in the day.
It will be the coldest start to spring since 2013 when the mercury dipped to -5.9C in Braemar, Scotland, on March 1.
Stormy conditions from the Atlantic later this week will collide with cold air over the UK triggering heavy snow.
The Met Office said parts of Britain face wintry showers through the week with below-average temperatures bringing icy roads and frost.
Spokesman Grahame Madge said: “Clearer skies are forecast this week especially over the North, with the current cold temperatures this will bring the potential for frost and ice.
“Low-pressure systems will move in from the Atlantic through the week and as the moist air meets cold air over the UK we could see snow.
“Scotland and northern England is most at risk and there is the possibility snow could fall to lower levels with some localised accumulation.
“The risk remains through the week and there is the potential for temperatures to drop quite severely in parts.
Malcolm Booth, chief executive of the National Federation of Occupational Pensioners (NFOP), warned people not to be lulled into a false sense of security by recent mild weather.
He said: “With the return to a cold spell it is important to make sure friends and neighbours are warm and coping.
“The recent mild weather has lulled us all into a false sense of security, but winter is not over yet and cold weather is dangerous.
“Thousands of people die over winter due to the cold and falls due to slippery surfaces.
“Be extra careful when going out as pavements may not have been treated.”