it’s back: First snow of season arrives with more forecast for parts of region

The A57 Snake Pass between Sheffield and Manchester was closed yesterday afternoon after hazardous driving conditions were reported because of snowfall between Ladybower and Glossop. Snow was also predicted to fall overnight on high ground in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and especially in Pennine districts of South and West Yorkshire.

Elsewhere in the country snow and sleet showers were seen across Scotland and northern England, particularly in County Durham where youngsters took to their sleds again following last winter’s prolonged snowfalls.

Forecasters also highlighted the possibility of snowfall for lowland areas in northern England for around Christmas time, with one bookmaker giving odds of 7/1 for a white Christmas in Yorkshire.

The Met Office has issued “be prepared” amber warnings for the Highlands, Strathclyde, Tayside and the south-west of Scotland.

Tayside Police said they dealt with several accidents in the Perth and Kinross area yesterday where cars left the road owing to icy conditions.

Nick Prebble, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather forecasting arm of the Press Association, said Scotland and parts of northern England would experience sub-zero temperatures overnight.

He said: “Cold temperatures will be accompanied by some sleet and snow showers across parts of the country.

“There are scattered showers forecast for western areas of Scotland, with some snow expected on higher ground in northern England and the Peak District.”

Last winter was one of the coldest since records began with temperatures as low as -19C reported in parts of Yorkshire.