The white snow looked beautiful as it laid across parts of Merseyside today, Sunday, January 4
A view of Liverpool from a snowy Everton Brow(Image: Supplied)
Parts of Merseyside woke up to a blanket of snow on Sunday morning as a flurry of wintry white showers hit the region. Snow has continued to fall on Merseyside this afternoon with the Met Office putting in place a yellow weather warning for snow and ice in place for much of the day.
The weather forecaster issued some advice following the weather change as it warned some roads and railways were likely to be affected today. It also warned that icy patches on roads and pavements could cause some disruption.
The Met Office first issued a warning for snow and ice to come into place from 3pm but brought it forward to midday. A spokesperson said: “The warning start time has been brought forward to cater for snow showers that may cause impacts earlier in the afternoon across north Wales and northwest England.”
It said the sudden drop in temperature comes as arctic covers most of the UK. “Very cold” weather will continue through the weekend, with minus double figures overnight in places and daytime temperatures struggling to rise above 0C for some, the forecaster said.
It looks like this cold spell could last well into next week too as the Met Office says wintry hazards will continue with more weather warnings likely. The current warning is in place until midday on Monday, with more disruption expected tomorrow.
Despite looking gorgeous across the city, the icy conditions caused some chaos on travel services today. Merseyrail advised passengers to check their service status updates ahead of travelling. The travel provider said: “Weather Warning – The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for the Liverpool City Region on Sunday 4 and Monday 5 January. This may affect train services. Please check the latest service updates before you travel.”
A good boy experiencing his first snowy weather(Image: Supplied)
Merseyrail services have been suspended between Rock Ferry and Chester/Ellesmere Port and a limited service will start and terminate at Rock Ferry, and rail replacement buses are being requested to run between Rock Ferry and Ellesmere Port and Chester, as a result of the conditions.
Tickets can be used at no extra cost on replacement road transport services between Chester and Rock Ferry in both directions until further notice. Ticket acceptance has been granted with Transport for Wales for travel between Liverpool and Chester in both directions.
But, the icy conditions didn’t stop thousands of people from braving the Southport half marathon on Sunday morning. An ECHO photographer was on hand to capture the runners this morning.
Chilly conditions at the Southport half marathon as snow falls(Image: Iain Watts)
The yellow weather warning for snow and ice ends at midday tomorrow (Monday, January 5). People are urged to be vigilant in the morning as many make their way back to work after the Christmas break.
A Met Office spokesperson said: “Snow showers are expected to push further inland across Wales, parts of north west England, the west midlands and south west England during Sunday evening. Along windward coasts, some rain and sleet is likely, but inland showers will fall as snow.
“Whilst not all locations in the warning area will see snow, 1-3 cm could develop in many places by Monday morning, with the potential for 5-8 cm to build up in a few locations, particularly across inland and higher parts of Wales. Icy stretches are likely to form widely.”
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