A blast of bitterly cold air from Siberia labelled the ‘Beast from the East’ on social media brings with it the threat of heavy snow for much of the eastern UK, causing train companies and airlines to announce cancellations as a ‘contingency’.
The Met Office has issued yellow and amber warnings for snow throughout Monday and Tuesday across southern and eastern England, as well as the Midlands, Scotland and Wales later on. Further warnings for Wednesday and Thursday extend to Cornwall, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Forecasters predict more than 20cm of snow by Wednesday night.
As a ‘precaution’, Greater Anglia has announced trains will stop by 2200 tonight, with a limited service due to run between 0600 and 2200 on Tuesday and Thursday. A message on the company’s website says: “Due to forecast sub-zero temperatures... and large amounts of snow forecast, GA are currently drawing up contingency plans for our train services from Monday evening onwards.”
C2C says it plans to run a normal timetable until 2100 tonight, after which it warns that “some services will be altered or cancelled”.
National Rail advises all passengers planning to travel by train to check the status of their service before departing.
Meanwhile, British Airways has “proactively cancelled some services” and says it will rebook passengers on alternative flights or offer them a full refund. Disruption has already been announced on several scheduled domestic and short-haul routes, while the airline is warning passengers that further cancellations and delays are likely.
Heathrow airport is reporting cancellations later this afternoon on some flights.
Remember to check the status of your flight before departing for the airport.