Snowbomb blasts Britain
Ice alert on roads as snow settles & rain hell goes on
THE UK is on ice alert after heavy snow forced more than 300 schools to close amid further flooding misery.
Drivers faced death-trap conditions after up to 8in of the white stuff fell across northern regions.
The Angel of the North, right, in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, got a dusting as gritters and snow ploughs went to work. Experts warned of railway and airport chaos ahead.
Yellow weather warnings for ice in Northern Ireland, northern England and Scotland remain in force until 10am today.
A Met Office spokesman said: “A range of severe weather warnings are in place for rain, snow and ice.
“Many areas will be affected by occasional showers of rain, hail, sleet and snow, with clear spells in between leading to icy surfaces.”
Meanwhile, more than 100 flood warnings and some 240 alerts across England and Wales were last night in place after a third week of downpours.
The Environment Agency issued two severe flood warnings for the River Severn in Shropshire, where experts warned levels could reach their “highest ever”.
Flipped
The river burst its banks and an EA spokesman said: “Flooding of property is expected to continue.”
A car flipped onto its roof on the A58 at Scarcroft, West Yorks.
Some schoolchildren got an extra day off after the half-term break as schools were closed.
Three-year-old Molly Maybury was snapped enjoying the wintry conditions in Leyburn in the Yorkshire Dales.
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna warned commuters to monitor conditions.
He said: “We’re seeing ice and frost overnight most nights, and there are going to be a lot of icy patches around. Keep an eye out.”
More snow was expected over hills today with northern and western areas facing scattered wintry showers. Isolated showers and a few bright spells were forecast in southern and eastern regions.
The extreme weather should settle down tomorrow before further heavy rain is expected on Friday.
A 500-mile wide jet of cold air from Greenland is set to bring more rain and gales this weekend.