Warning of more snow travel misery

Dec 29 2009

Snow and ice are expected to cause travel chaos as many people head back to work after the Christmas holiday.

Heavy snow was due to fall in some areas with more expected later on Tuesday.

Below-freezing temperatures have prompted warnings that roads may be icy.

Tom Tobler, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said mid Wales is expected to see the worst of the snow.

"There could be quite a substantial amount over high ground," he said, predicting there could be as much as 30cm by the time the band of snow passes.

The Midlands, Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire could also see snow later.

Mr Tobler added: "There could be several centimetres in places, enough to cause some problems."

The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for heavy snow in Grampian, Orkney and Shetland, Highlands and Eilean Siar as temperatures were expected to fall as low as minus 15C in parts of Scotland and minus 8C in the north of England.

It also has warnings of icy roads across much of Scotland and in North East England, the Yorkshire and Humber region and eastern parts of Northern Ireland.

Heavy rain is expected in the South of England, although it could turn to sleet over high ground.