Snow storms threaten chaos for travellers

As much as four inches of snow were expected to have fallen in highland areas including the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors overnight, with the icy blast set to continue throughout the week.

Met Office forecasters told the Yorkshire Post that temperatures could fall to as low as -8C during the forthcoming days as a further six inches of snow are predicted to fall in high areas in the next 24 hours. The lowest temperature in the region recorded yesterday was -4.1C at Bainbridge in the Dales, while snowfall had already affected places including the Yorkshire Wolds.

A Met Office spokesman said: “This will be the biggest snow fall of the winter so far, and it will undoubtedly bring significant disruption. For all the warnings that are in place, the weather will nonetheless catch some people out.”

The AA warned 75 per cent of motorists are not prepared for conditions on the roads, and urged drivers to carry a winter kit and check their cars before getting behind the wheel.

The RAC is expecting up to 56,000 breakdowns and widespread disruption. Extra patrols are on stand-by to help stranded motorists. The Highways Agency has said it was “well prepared” for winter conditions, with a fleet of 500 vehicles on stand-by.

Online retailer Amazon said sales of sledges had surged by 600 per cent, and customers were also investing in snow shovels.

Save the Children warned the poorest families will struggle to afford even basic essentials such as warm winter clothing and a 
hot meal a day during the cold snap.

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