What's happened
Inclement weather in the UK on January 5, 2025, has led to significant disruptions, including power outages, closed airports, and canceled train services. Up to 40cm of snow is expected in northern regions, impacting travel as families return from holidays.
Go deeper
Impact on Transportation
- Air Travel: Major airports like Liverpool and Manchester faced runway closures, leading to flight diversions and cancellations.
- Rail Services: National Rail reported numerous cancellations, with disruptions expected to continue into the week.
- Road Conditions: Many roads were preemptively closed, and stranded vehicles caused additional delays.
Community Effects
- Rural Isolation: Concerns are rising about rural communities being cut off due to heavy snow accumulation.
- Power Outages: The National Grid is working to restore power in affected areas, with outages reported in Birmingham, Bristol, and Cardiff.
Future Weather Outlook
- The Met Office forecasts continued sleet and snow, particularly in northern England and southern Scotland, with milder conditions expected in the south by early next week.
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, the National Grid is actively restoring power after outages across the UK, with significant snowfall impacting travel. The AP News highlights that while many sporting events have been postponed, the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United is still scheduled, pending further inspections. The Independent echoes these concerns, noting that the road network is heavily impacted as families return from holiday, with many train services canceled and warnings of continued disruption into the week.
How we got here
The UK is experiencing severe winter weather, with heavy snowfall and freezing rain affecting transportation and power supply. This follows a period of milder conditions during the holiday season.
Common question
-
What is the impact of severe weather on transport in the UK?
Severe winter weather has hit the UK, causing significant disruptions across transport networks and daily life. With heavy snowfall and freezing rain affecting travel plans, many are left wondering how to navigate these challenges. Below are some common questions and answers regarding the current situation.
-
What are the UK's current green policies for electric vehicles?
As electric vehicle (EV) sales surge in the UK, reaching 19.6% of new car registrations in 2024, the government faces pressure to adapt its green policies. This page explores the current landscape of the UK's electric vehicle regulations, the response from environmental groups, and what the future may hold for the Zero Emissions Vehicles mandate.
More on these topics
-
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. Its population in 2019 was approximately 498,042. making it the tenth-largest English district by population and the largest in Merseyside and the surrounding region.
-
The Meteorological Office, abbreviated as the Met Office is the United Kingdom's national weather service. It is an executive agency and trading fund of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy led by CEO Penelope Endersby, who took on
-
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northÂwestern coast of the European mainland.
-
Manchester United Football Club is a professional football club based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, that competes in the Premier League, the top flight of English football.