Snow chaos sees 'major incident' declared amid urgent amber weather warnings

02 December 2023 , 19:44

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A 'major incident' was declared in Cumbria as police warn people to remain at home during the poor weather (Image: Asadour Guzelian)

A "major incident" has been declared in Cumbria relating to the weather as members of the public are told to only travel "if necessary".

Cumbria Police has advised motorists to only travel in the county if they absolutely must do so after heavy snowfall has caused a number of road issues. The Met Office previously posted yellow and amber weather warnings for various parts of the UK after confirming a cold snap. South Lakes weather conditions were confirmed to be dire at present, with police confirming a "multi-agency" response was underway to help those currently trapped on the roads. Members of the public are believed to be stuck due to the ongoing snowy and icy weather.

A man pushes a car the A591 in Windermere, Cumbria (Asadour Guzelian)

A statement from Cumbria Police read: "A multi-agency response is ongoing to minimise the challenges that heavy snowfall is continuing to have on the county’s road network." An amber warning was confirmed for Cumbria earlier today by the Met Office, who said Saturday, December 2 could see anywhere between 10cm and 15cm of snow fall in some areas. Showers are expected to ease overnight. A major incident has since been declared by the Force, with superintendent Andy Wilkinson of Cumbria Constabulary urging residents to remain indoors unless they must leave their home for a necessary trip.

This is the weather warning map from the Met Office for Saturday, December 2 (Met Office)

Superintendent Wilkinson said: "Agencies across Cumbria are working together in response to the impact that heavy snowfall is continuing to have on the county’s roads. We are working at pace, to help clear roads so those currently affected can get moving. I would urge anybody considering travelling in Cumbria tonight, to only do so if necessary. The cold temperatures forecast will make road conditions even more difficult."

Members of the public were believed to be trapped in their vehicles and sat in traffic in the South Lakes areas of Bowness and Grizedale. Extensive efforts are now being made to move along those stuck in traffic. Urgent police activity comes as a yellow weather warning was placed on parts of the UK today and tomorrow, with the cold snap bringing frosty weather, snow and ice. An additional weather warning for London and other southernly parts of the country is in effect from midnight tonight until 11am tomorrow.

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

The Met Office had issued an amber warning for snow in Cumbria throughout Saturday, saying 10-15cm of snow is possible in some areas before showers begin to ease overnight.

The weather service added there was a "good chance that some rural communities could become cut off" and power cuts were likely, with the potential for other services, such as mobile phone coverage, to be affected. It has also issued a yellow warning for ice from midnight until 11am on Sunday in Cumbria and north Lancashire, stating that a "few snow flurries may continue into the early hours of Sunday, but the main hazard will be refreezing of any melted snow, or freezing of lying snow".

Met Office chief meteorologist Jason Kelly said: "Snow could be heavy at times across Cumbria with the odd rumble of thunder... 10-15cm of snow is possible before showers begin to ease overnight.

"A low pressure system will bring less cold but more unsettled weather for southern parts of the UK from tonight onwards, although northern areas will continue (to be) cold with wintry showers and sharp overnight frosts. Many areas of England and Wales can then expect spells of rain for the start of next week, which could be heavy at times with a risk of flooding. Some higher hills across parts of North Wales and northern England could see further snow."

The weather service said Aberdeenshire, Moray and Highland regions of Scotland were likely to see the lowest temperatures on Saturday night, with minus 12C possible in some valleys in these regions.

The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice from 6pm on Saturday to 12pm on Sunday covering much of the Midlands, Yorkshire, the north east and north west of England, and north and central Wales.

The weather service said that while not everywhere will see accumulating snow, some places are likely to see 1-3cm, with 5-10cm possible over some hills and mountains in Wales, the Peak District and South Pennines.

The forecaster said there will probably be icy patches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths, resulting in "some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces" It warned that some roads and railways are likely to be affected, with longer journey times by road, bus and train.

Ewan Gleadow