Storm Chandra: Snow, flooding and flight cancellations cause widespread travel disruption
Storm Chandra has caused widespread travel disruption across Yorkshire and beyond, with major roads closed due to snow and flooding and dozens of flights cancelled.
The most recently named storm moved into Yorkshire overnight into Tuesday (Jan 27), as heavy rain and snow began to affect travel.
National Highways said the A66 has been closed between the A67 near Bowes in County Durham and the A685 near Brough in Cumbria because of snow.
Drivers travelling across the Pennines have been advised to plan ahead and consider alternative routes.
The disruption comes as the Met Office warned that snow could significantly impact high-level routes, particularly across the Pennines, where drifting is possible due to brisk southeasterly winds.
Snow of up to 10–20cm has been forecast on higher ground above 500 metres.
In West Yorkshire, the M621 was closed westbound between Junction 1 at Holbeck and the M62 at Junction 27 due to flooding on Tuesday (Jan 27), but this was later reopened.
Forecasters have warned that heavy rain could accumulate quickly in some areas, particularly across parts of the southern Pennines, increasing the risk of surface water flooding.
Air travel has also been affected, with at least 30 flights cancelled at Belfast City Airport on Tuesday. Around 15 departures and 15 arrivals scheduled to serve the airport were axed.
Among the domestic routes affected were flights serving Leeds Bradford Airport, with cancellations also impacting services to and from Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heathrow, London City, Manchester and Southampton. The affected airlines were Aer Lingus, Aer Lingus Regional and British Airways.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Paul Gundersen said: “Storm Chandra will bring a range of hazards to the UK through Monday night and Tuesday.
“As Chandra interacts with colder air further north, snow becomes a hazard, with 10–20cm of snow possibly accumulating over higher ground in the Pennines, southern Scotland and the Highlands.
“With a complex spell of weather, it's important people stay up to date with the forecast and any warnings in your area.”
Motorists and passengers are being urged to check the latest travel updates and plan journeys carefully.