Arctic blast sends shiver across northern Britain

Up to 23 centimeters of snow fell in parts of Northern England and Scotland Thursday, disrupting travel and forcing more than 300 schools to close.

The worst weather of the winter was caused by an arctic blast sweeping over the upper half of the British Isles.

Manchester Airport had to be closed for more than four hours, with outgoing flights delayed and incoming flights diverted to Liverpool. Flights resumed mid-afternoon after runways were cleared. Passengers were warned to expect delays in departures and arrivals.

The evening Stena Line ferry service between Liverpool and Belfast was also cancelled because of adverse weather conditions in the Irish Sea.

Vehicles were stranded in deep snow on the M62, the main cross-country motorway linking the north east and north west of England.

A council spokesman in Cumbria described conditions across the county as the harshest seen so far this winter.

With poor road conditions there were a number of accidents, but no reports of deaths or serious injuries.

With the Met Office predicting a milder Friday, officials have sent out road gritters to spread salt across roadways to keep Northern England on the move. Endit