Ten areas across the UK face travel chaos today as the Met Office warns of heavy snowfall that could dump up to 15cm in the worst-hit regions. The 12-hour yellow weather warning runs from 11am until 11pm tonight, with motorists urged to avoid non-essential journeys.
Birmingham, much of the West Midlands, parts of Greater Manchester and Lancashire, plus sections of Wales including Powys and Gwynedd are all covered by the alert. Lower-lying areas could see 2-5cm of snow, whilst higher ground above 200 metres faces accumulations of 10-15cm. The snow will fall on frozen ground, creating treacherous icy conditions.
Temperatures will hover between 0-2°C across affected regions, but winds of 15-25mph will make it feel much colder. Stronger gusts on exposed hills risk creating drifting snow and poor visibility, particularly hazardous for drivers navigating country routes and motorway stretches through elevated terrain.
Emergency services advise allowing extra time for journeys and checking road conditions before travelling. Isolated areas face potential power cuts and mobile phone service disruption. Local authorities across the Midlands and North West have gritting teams on standby, with several councils opening warming centres for vulnerable residents.
The Met Office warns colder temperatures will persist into the weekend, with further ice warnings likely. Commuters face a challenging Friday morning rush hour, particularly on routes through the Pennines and Welsh hills where snowfall is expected to be heaviest overnight.