Manchester Airport reopens after runways closed by heavy snow as cold spell batters Britain

19 January 2023, 07:17 | Updated: 19 January 2023, 15:20

Manchester Airport has reopened after closing down both of its runways for two hours on Thursday morning amid heavy snow and freezing conditions.

The runways were closed at about 6.20am on Thursday before reopening at around 8.45am.

The airport said that the health and safety of passengers and staff "would always be our top priority".

The two-hour closure disrupted all flights in and out of the airport, and bosses said that passengers should contact their airlines for more information.

The airport said in a statement: Following the temporary closure of our runways due to snow, we are pleased to report that operations have resumed.

"We thank passengers for their patience. Passengers should continue to contact their airline for the most up to date information."

Planes back in the air as Manchester airport reopens

The UK has been beset by freezing temperatures and snow in recent days.

Drivers were warned to take care in the south-west after dozens of people were injured when the double-decker bus taking them to work in Somerset overturned on an icy road.

It comes as temperatures plunged below minus 10C in parts of the UK overnight amid warnings of snow, ice and travel disruption.

Drumnadrochit near Inverness in the Highlands hit minus 10.4C in the early hours of Thursday, making it the coldest recorded temperature of the year so far. Topcliffe in north Yorkshire got down to minus 7.4C, the coldest in England.

A statement on Twitter said: "Following a period of heavy snowfall, we have temporarily closed both runways.

"Health and safety will always be our top priority and operations will resume at the earliest opportunity.

"Passengers are advised to contact their airline for the most up-to-date flight information."

A series of yellow weather warnings for snow and ice from the Met Office came in as a major incident was declared in Somerset due to the risk of flooding.

The warnings covering northern and south-west Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales suggest there may be "further wintry showers bringing disruption from ice and snow" while an ice warning is also in place for the south west of England.

They run until noon on Thursday in Wales and the north of Scotland while the ice warning lasts until 10am in England.

Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna told the PA news agency: "Parts of north-west Scotland still have 34cm of snow lying, elsewhere this is around 9cm, and in sites across Northern Ireland we've got 7cm, and in Wales as well.

"The main thing elsewhere is frost and ice, showers are focused towards the north and west of the UK, so elsewhere a frosty and icy, but dry start.

"Lighter winds in the south on Thursday, so it's not going to feel quite as raw, even though temperatures are still cold, there will be less of a wind chill effect.

"Gradually it will turn less cold over the next few days, we hold onto it generally today and tomorrow, but into the weekend Atlantic air starts to come in, bringing temperatures up to double figures."

A level three cold weather alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency, warning of conditions that "could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services" is in place until 9am on Friday.

A major incident was declared in Somerset due to the risk of flooding across the county.

Enhanced pumping began on Tuesday evening at Northmoor pumping station to reduce the amount of water being stored until river levels allow pumping to resume at Currymoor, which remains full.