On Wythenshawe’s freezing cold shopping precinct, a group of shrieking schoolchildren hurl snowballs at one another.
Following an unexpected flurry of snow this morning (Thursday), pavements around the town centre are covered in a thick blanket of white. Wythenshawe and other parts of south Manchester felt the worst of the wintry weather as snow and ice brought travel disruption and school closures.
Manchester Airport was forced to shut its runways for more than an hour due to ‘significant’ snowfall. Comedian Jason Manford was among those caught up in the delays as the airport ground to a halt at about 9am.
Runways later reopened, although the airport warned that some flights may be delayed, and advised passengers to check with their airline for the latest information. At least 14 departures and five arrivals scheduled to operate at the airport on Thursday have been cancelled.
Meanwhile, there were treacherous conditions on roads across the region, with several left ‘impassable’ due to snow. Roads elsewhere in the region were also hit by traffic jams after crossing buttons ‘froze over’ in the sub-zero temperatures.
Despite the prolonged cold snap hitting the UK, this morning’s snow came as a surprise to many.
The snow brought treacherous conditions on the roads
(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
“I didn’t expect it,” said Sandra Molloy, lugging a bag of shopping through Wythenshawe town centre. “When I woke up I just thought wow. It took a lot of people by surprise.”
While the snow created challenges for drivers, others decided to make the most of the weather. After finishing school early, Lyla Barrow-Harris, 6, spent the afternoon sledging with her brother Louis, 2.
“It was fun,” said their mum, Laura Rothwell. “Until one of the sledges broke.”
Lyla’s school was one of those that stayed open today, although several others in Wythenshawe were forced to close.
A snowy scene in Wythenshawe Park this morning
(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
“The journey normally takes seven minutes but it took my partner 35 this morning,” said Ms Rothwell. “It snowed that quickly that it was just standstill on Simonsway.”
Brother and sister Lincoln and Lennon Usher were also looking to forward to playing out in the snow.
“They’ve got their cousins coming round for tea so we’re going to make a snowman in the garden,” explained mum Rebecca Pullen. “It’s nice to have a bit of snow. We’ve not had it for years.”
Lincoln and Lennon Usher with mum Rebecca Pullen
The freezing temperatures were bad news for business owners in the town, however.
“It’s been quiet all week,” said Gary Walker, the owner of Walkers Shoe Repairs. “The snow puts people off, you only come out if you have to.
“The roads were horrendous this morning, it was very slow moving.”
Braving the bitter cold on his market stall, Ben Corrie agreed.
A snowy Wythenshawe precinct
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
“The weather has put people off,” he explained. “It seemed to come down quite quickly.
“It was only light then it turned heavy. A blanket of snow does make everything look a bit nicer though.”
Theo Jones spent the day working on a nearby stall amid the icy conditions. The snow was falling as he pitched up the gazebo this morning.
“I can’t feel my toes,” he said. “I slipped on my a*** when I came out this morning.
“The weather was dangerous for a lot of people. It’s been like a ghost town today, no one has been out.”
Theo Jones
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
A yellow weather warning for ice is in place for parts of Greater Manchester overnight. The warning, which came into force at 4pm today and lasts until 10am tomorrow, covers Wigan, plus areas of Salford and Trafford.
Temperatures are expected to rise across the North West over the weekend.
However, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Sunday. Amber alerts have been extended and will now run until January 12, meaning a rise in deaths is likely, the agency said.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: “We are extending the duration of our Cold-Health Alert, since the Met Office are forecasting that the low temperatures we are seeing will continue further into this week, with snow and icy conditions likely to persist.
“This weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital that we continue to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.
“These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.”