Fresh ice and snow warnings trigger travel disruption and blizzard fears across Northern England

Fresh yellow weather warnings for ice have been issued across several parts of the United Kingdom as forecasters warn that blizzard conditions could hit parts of northern England. The new alerts follow a day of worsening weather that left some roads gridlocked and forced dozens of schools to close.

An amber warning for snow remained in place on Thursday for an area stretching across northeast England, including Scarborough, Whitby and locations south of Middlesbrough. The warning is due to remain active until nine in the evening. The Met Office said the region could see significant snow accumulations, with higher ground particularly exposed. Forecasters advised that hills above one hundred metres in the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Wolds could receive as much as twenty five centimetres of snow.

Officials also warned that gusty winds may develop during the heaviest showers. They said the combination of wind and snowfall could create occasional blizzard conditions, reducing visibility and making travel hazardous. The forecast added that a small number of lightning strikes may accompany the showers, creating further risks for those attempting to travel.

Images from the North York Moors showed stranded vehicles on the A169 as drivers attempted to navigate deepening snow. Local authorities said gritters were deployed throughout the region in an effort to keep major routes open. However some A roads in North Yorkshire were described as gridlocked as snowfall intensified during the afternoon. Drivers were urged to avoid unnecessary travel and to prepare for delays if they needed to use key routes.

Shingi Mararike, reporting for Sky News in the North of England, said the conditions had developed quickly and caught many drivers by surprise. He noted that teams were working to clear the roads but the rate of snowfall was making progress slow. Emergency services advised road users to take extra care and to allow additional time for their journeys.

The worsening weather also affected schools across the region. Local councils confirmed that dozens of schools had closed due to concerns over transport safety and difficulty maintaining access to sites. Parents were informed through local authority alert systems and through messages issued by individual schools.

Meteorologists said the combination of freezing temperatures and further snowfall meant that conditions were likely to remain challenging into the evening. They warned that ice could form widely overnight, particularly where snow had compacted on untreated surfaces. Yellow warnings for ice were issued for several areas as a result. Authorities encouraged pedestrians to take extra care on pavements and paths that may have become slippery.

Rail operators reported that the weather was beginning to affect some services in northern England. Passengers were advised to check for service updates and to consider alternative travel arrangements where possible. Aviation services in the region were operating but officials said teams were monitoring conditions closely due to the risk of further deterioration.

The Met Office said it would continue to monitor the developing weather system and update warnings as required. Forecasters explained that the persistent cold air combined with showers moving inland from the North Sea had created the conditions for significant snowfall. They added that wind patterns around coastal areas were contributing to the likelihood of blizzard style bursts.

Local authorities said they were coordinating their responses with emergency services and transport organisations to ensure that key routes remained passable. However they acknowledged that rapid changes in conditions may limit the effectiveness of gritting in some areas.

As the evening approached the central message from officials remained clear. They advised residents in affected regions to remain cautious, plan ahead and be prepared for disruption as the wintry conditions continued to develop.