Major UK airport announces severe delays after flights grounded due to heavy snow

Thousand are expected to be affected by delays

For the last week, the UK has been caught in a brutal cold snap that has seen temperatures plunge well below freezing, and for once not just in the Scottish highlands!

Greater Manchester, Wales and the South West have been some of the hardest hit regions, with temperatures dipping beyond -5C.

This cold weather has of course brought with it snow in abundance, with many Mancunians waking up to another blanket of white powder this morning (9 January).

Subsequently, this weather has had a knock-on impact on infrastructure as in the last hour Manchester Airport was forced to shut both runways to clear snow, leaving all flights temporarily grounded for sustained period of time

The runways are now back open, but severe delays are expected, with FlightRadar24 giving the airport a 5/5 on their delay index, defined as "serious problems at airport", while the app estimates delays of up to 100 minutes.

This comes as fresh weather warning have been issued with more snow and ice set to continue across southern England, Wales, Northern Ireland and northern Scotland on Thursday.

Forecasts suggest the coldest of areas could see lows of -16C on Thursday night - so wrap up warm!

The snowfall has subsequently brought with it flood warning with heavy rain and melting snow expected.

Current warnings in place include:

• A yellow warning for snow and ice is in place for northern Scotland until midnight on Thursday
• A yellow warning for ice has been issued until 10:30 GMT across parts of southern England and south-east Wales
• Two yellow warnings for snow and ice are in force until 11:00 GMT - one across western Wales and north-west England, and south-west England; and another for Northern Ireland

Featured Image via: Simon Lowe Aviation / YouTube