hips don't lie: UK weather: Fresh snowfall puts airports on standby as cold spell 'goes out with a bang'

By
Travelmail Reporter

PUBLISHED:

07:28 EST, 25 January 2013

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UPDATED:

08:00 EST, 25 January 2013

With snow expected to sweep across the UK again today, airports are reassuring passengers that they are prepared for the bad weather.

The freezing spell that has gripped Britain for more than a week will ‘go out with a bang’ today as up to a foot of snow is expected to fall in some areas and most of the country will receive a final blanketing by this evening.

The Met Office has put out amber warnings for the north of England, east of England, the East and West Midlands, and much of Scotland. Yellow warnings are also in place for Wales, south west England and London and the South East.

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Last blast: Airports are braced for a final wave of bad weather before temperatures begin to rise again

And with one last downfall ahead, airports are on standby with snow-clearing machinery to ensure the least amount of disruption possible.

Many are using Twitter to keep passengers up to date with the latest developments as well as posting messages on their websites.

Newcastle Airport tweeted this morning: ‘Snow is forecast for @NCLairport later today, but our snow team will be working hard to keep everyone moving.’

Manchester Airport also took to Twitter, saying: ‘Our snow squads and clearing equipment is on standby, and we’re monitoring forecast data. We’ve managed well so far with weather.

‘But until it actually snows, it’s difficult to predict to some extent. We might get lucky and avoid it, but will keep you updated.’

Earlier this morning, Stansted said it was ‘operating as normal’ but that passengers should ‘check flight status’ with their airline before travelling.

And a message on Cardiff Airport’s website from yesterday said it was ‘open and operating as normal’.

It added: ‘Some flights are cancelled or operating with a delay due to the ongoing weather conditions throughout the UK and Europe.’ Travelmail is seeking an update.

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Disruption: Winter weather has caused problems for airports this week as snow swept across the UK and Western Europe

But despite dramatic forecasts in Scotland, both Edinburgh and Gatwick airports said they were operating as normal.

Edinburgh Airport said that there were ‘no real issues’ at the moment but that they were ‘ready for what comes’, while Glasgow tweeted: ‘There has been no disruption so far today, and right now do not anticipate any. We will Tweet if the situation changes.’

In the West Midlands, which is expecting snow today, Birmingham Airport confirmed it is open and fully operational.

But it added: ‘Passengers are advised that there may be minor delays due to recent adverse weather conditions and should check the status of their flight with their airline.’

Cardiff Airport is also operating as normal but reassured passengers it is as prepared as it can be if snow falls later today.

In London, where a yellow warning has been issued, London City Airport said they are ‘operating as normal’ and Heathrow said it was expecting a little snow this evening but was not anticipating problems.

At Luton, passengers were warned that there are some minor delays to allow for de-icing and the airport recommended that those travelling tot he airport allowed extra time for their journey.

Gatwick said it is operating a full schedule of flights and there are no specific weather related delays, but advised passengers to check with their airline before travel in case of delays at other destinations.