Stansted closes runway as as much as 10cm of snow might hit South East | UK Information

Two airports have been pressured to shut runways as as much as 10cm of snow is predicted to hit southeast England.

Stansted tweeted on Sunday night that its runway was “briefly closed” whereas snow was cleared from its floor.

Apologising for any inconvenience, it mentioned: “We stay open however passengers ought to contact their airline for the most recent flight info.”

Earlier, Gatwick Airport was pressured to close its runway, too, as a result of of “unforecast snow”.

Whereas as much as 10cm might hit London and the South East tonight, as a lot as 15cm is forecast for some components of Essex.

Gatwick’s runway has since reopened.

A Gatwick spokesperson mentioned its runway was “briefly closed at 5.55pm attributable to unforecast snow”.

Responding to prospects, the airport added: “Some flights have been delayed attributable to a scarcity of ‘de-icing rigs’.

“This case has improved, nonetheless continued freezing climate is inflicting additional delays and a few cancellations.”

Traveller Rachel Lenney mentioned: “Gatwick, we have actually simply been advised the airport is closed?? Sitting right here on the runway at Shannon.”

The reside departure board confirmed quite a lot of flights delayed or cancelled.

Areas of Scotland, southwest England, the Midlands, northwest England and Wales have already had snow this weekend, inflicting journey disruption.

Ellie Wilson, a meteorologist on the Met Workplace, mentioned: “Immediately’s been a bit extra snow than we have been initially pondering.”

As much as 5cm forecast ‘fairly extensively’

The Met Workplace has up to date its yellow climate warning, forecasting a band of sleet and snow to hit the South East, with doable snowfall of between 2cm and 5cm fairly extensively.

The warning is in place till 9am on Monday.

Forecasters say some areas of the UK might have extra snow on Monday, with a small probability that rural communities could possibly be lower off.

The chilly snap is predicted to stay by subsequent week, with in a single day frosts and daytime temperatures dipping beneath freezing.

Examine the forecast in your space

Elements of Essex might get between 10cm and 15cm over increased floor, with the Sky Information climate crew predicting an affect on early visitors on Monday morning and that the yellow warning could also be “escalated later”.

Temperatures will fall in a single day to between -4C and -6C for a lot of.

Over the snow fields of Scotland, it could fall so far as -15C.

Residents in Cornwall are being suggested to not journey on Sunday or Monday attributable to the treacherous climate.

The county’s fireplace service mentioned it handled greater than 300 stories of highway visitors accidents linked to ice over the weekend.

There are additionally yellow warnings for ice and fog, one in all which covers massive components of the South West, rising to Birmingham and Merseyside. Others cowl the North East and Northern Eire. They final till 11am on Monday.

Arctic circulation to proceed

Sky Information climate presenter Jo Edwards mentioned: “The climate is about to stay very chilly over the following few days because the Arctic circulation continues.

“Nevertheless, but colder air is probably to sink southward on Wednesday whereas winds choose up, introducing a extra noticeable wind chill issue.”

She added: “Freezing fog within the southeast is probably to be an challenge tonight and Monday evening too, decreasing visibility in locations to lower than 50 metres.

“The place fog types, there’s additionally probably to be ice, with the moisture within the fog turning to ice immediately when involved with sub-zero floor temperatures.

“The fog threat reduces by Tuesday and Wednesday because the breeze picks up. Nevertheless, this can simply make it really feel much more bitter, introducing a wind chill issue to situations which are already perishingly chilly.”

The RAC and North West Motorway Police each issued warnings about driving within the wintry situations because the latter responded to visitors accidents on a number of main roads.

The Met Workplace mentioned the situations could lead on to extra journey disruption, particularly on Monday morning, and a small probability of some rural communities changing into lower off together with a risk of energy cuts and cell cellphone protection being affected.

What temperature must you preserve your house at?

The UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) despatched out a degree three chilly climate alert overlaying England till Friday, extending the alert from Monday.

It suggested individuals to look out for family and friends who’re susceptible within the chilly and to make sure they’ve entry to heat meals and drinks.

Individuals ought to preserve indoor temperatures of at the least 18C (64.4F).

Dr Agostinho Sousa, marketing consultant in public well being drugs on the UKHSA, mentioned: “Chilly climate can have critical penalties for well being, and older individuals and people with coronary heart or lung situations may be significantly at threat.”

He added: “If you have got a pre-existing medical situation, you need to warmth your house to a temperature that’s comfy for you.

“In rooms you principally use resembling the front room or bed room, strive to warmth them to at the least 18C should you can. Maintain your bed room home windows closed at evening. Sporting a number of layers of clothes will preserve you hotter than one thicker layer.”