An amber weather warning for snow and ice has been issued across the region
14:42, 04 Jan 2025Updated 14:45, 04 Jan 2025
A Merseyrail train arriving into Sandhills station(Image: Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo)
Merseyrail’s first services tomorrow morning will run without passengers to combat the expected severe weather conditions. Merseyrail confirmed this afternoon that running the services without passengers will allow for the rail conditions to be checked.
Merseyrail wrote on the rail network company’s official X/Twitter account: “The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for snow and ice across the region over the weekend. On Sunday 5 January, the first services of the day on each line will run without customers, enabling the rail conditions to be checked before services can begin as normal.
“Customers are advised to check our website, app, and social media channels before travelling this weekend for the latest travel information.” A spokesperson for Merseyrail added the rail network company had initiated its winter plan and the line would have to be proved fit to run before passengers would be allowed to travel.
Given tomorrow is Sunday, Merseyrail’s first services are normally due to run shortly after 8am. Its Sunday service also means trains will run every 30 minutes instead of the usual 15 minutes like on Monday to Saturday.
The most recent Met Office forecast has snow starting in Liverpool at around 7pm. Although the amber warning begins at 6pm, the region is currently under a yellow warning that started at midday. The Met Office warned to expect significant weather issues. The forecaster said: “There is a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage. Travel delays on roads are likely, stranding some vehicles and passengers.”
Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said some “significant accumulations” of snow are possible in parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England, and the additional factor of strengthening winds could lead to drifting of lying snow.
He continued: “There is a risk of freezing rain across parts of the Midlands and northern England, but especially Wales, adding to the risk of ice and leading to some treacherous conditions in places. As the super-cooled rain droplets hit the surface they instantly freeze, covering everything in a layer of ice, making it extremely dangerous.”