A WARNING has been issued for drivers in Yorkshire with eight inches of snow forecast for the peak of the M62. 

National Highways: Yorkshire has advised that people driving in the region today between 6am and just before midnight should check the weather forecast and road conditions before travelling, and plan for disruption to their journeys.

This is because "heavy snow is forecast in the area", according to the Government-owned agency.

The Met Office has an amber and yellow weather warning in place for snow in Bradford.

The amber alert is scheduled to last all afternoon and into the evening from 12pm to 6pm, while the yellow warning is in place from 6am today until the same time tomorrow.

Heavy snow is forecasted to be falling in Bradford throughout the morning and into the early evening, according to the Met Office.

National Highways: Yorkshire has said there could be as much as 20cm of snow - just under eight inches - at the peak of the M62 and A628.

The agency's "reasonable estimate" also predicts 10-15cm of snow above 300 metres, 2-5cm above 200m - such as the M6/M56 and M6/M62 intersections - and patches of 1-2cm at low levels.

The snow is expected to turn lighter and patchier as it moves north, with no more than 2-5cm predicted on the A66 above 300m, and little below this.

A spokesperson for National Highways said: "Snow will develop in the south of the North West and North East regions early this morning, persisting throughout the day, though turning erratically to rain from the south.

"This could happen quite quickly on lower routes with limited amounts of wet snow falling, whilst for higher routes above 200m perhaps taking till afternoon and persisting as snow on the highest parts of the Pennine routes.

"This will lead to a steep increase in the amounts of snow at higher elevations compared to lower elevations.

"Complications such as the intensity of the precipitation is leading to some uncertainty as to how much will settle on lower routes and for how long before milder air spreads north."

What to expect:

  • Possible travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel
  • Some rural communities could become temporarily cut off
  • There is a small chance that power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected
  • A chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
  • A chance that untreated pavements and cycle paths become impassable

National Highways, in conjunction with the Met Office, are strongly advising that travel in these areas is likely to be extended or even disrupted.

Road users should heed messages on the overhead signs and listen for radio updates.

Road users are advised to take extra care if travelling in the affected regions.