The Met Office has issued a 15-hour yellow weather warning for snow and ice, effective from 7 PM on November 18 until 10 AM the following day. This warning covers much of northern England, North Wales, southern Scotland, and parts of the Midlands.
Forecasts predict flurries of snow across Greater Manchester, with temperatures expected to drop to zero degrees Celsius overnight, and some areas may experience lows of -2°C.
Network Rail has alerted passengers to potential travel disruptions, urging them to check the latest information online before embarking on their journeys. Chris Pye, Network Rail's North West route infrastructure director, emphasized the challenges posed by snow and ice, which can obscure signals and cause branches to fall onto tracks.
In anticipation of the adverse conditions, Network Rail has teams on standby to address heavy snowfall, ensuring that points remain operational and clear of ice. The organization has also prepared hundreds of staff equipped with specialized tools to defrost frozen points and signals as necessary.
Areas most at risk of disruption include the Pennines and Peak District, particularly between Manchester and Yorkshire. The ongoing cold snap may lead to further snow, ice, and freezing rain in the coming days.