Severe weather: North West

Just when you thought we were through the worst of it...

The Met Office's yellow warning for snow and ice continues into tomorrow.

Met OfficeCopyright: Met Office

Showers of sleet, snow and hail will continue into Friday morning, although at lower levels there will be a gradual trend towards rain and sleet from Thursday evening onwards.

Further snow is likely on higher ground, though, along with icy stretches on untreated surfaces.

And here's the view into Jack Bolton's garden in Lymm in Cheshire.

Jack BoltonCopyright: Jack Bolton

Ann Russell has emailed in with this charming photograph of Werneth Low in Greater Manchester.

Ann RussellCopyright: Ann Russell

Before we wrap things up for the evening with the all-important weather forecast for tonight and tomorrow, we'd like to cheer you up with a selection of the day's best pictures.

The dog, understandably, looks bemused as this snowman appears to be "walking his geese" in New Mills in Derbyshire. Thanks to Marie Connah for emailing this photo.

Marie Connah Copyright: Marie Connah

It's a good job he knows the political climate better than the weather...

"I said yesterday that I didn't think it would snow this year. And I'm sticking with that prediction..."

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• A57 Snake Pass is closed in both directions between the Royal Oak Inn in Glossop and Ladybower reservoir
• Crossing into West Yorkshire? There's disruption between the A669 Chew Valley Road in Greenfield and A6024 Woodhead Road in Holmfirth

Find more traffic information on the BBC Travel website.

While getting anywhere is a nightmare in the snow and ice, once you do reach your destination at this time of year your patience is often amply rewarded.

ALtrincham.todayCopyright: ALtrincham.today

Our thanks again to the altrincham.today news website.

Merseyside Police, meanwhile, is reminding drivers not to leave their keys in the ignition during the cold weather.

They said cars have been stolen in south Liverpool while motorists left them unlocked or unattended in the morning.

Det Insp Ian Warlow said "a few seconds can present a thief with an opportunity to steal your car and everything inside it.

"We know that it's tempting when it's cold to leave your engine running while you do other things before your journey. But these shortcuts leave your car vulnerable to theft and may also invalidate your insurance."

The M62 in the North West isn't looking too bad either, although traffic is a little slow eastbound between junctions 19 (for the A6046) and 20 (for Milnrow) because of an earlier accident.

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According to BBC Travel there are no major problems on the M60 at the moment - let's hope it stays that way for the rest of the evening rush.

There is severe traffic after an accident between a car and a lorry carrying steel drums on the M65 westbound in Lancashire between junction six (A678) and junction four (A666).

Peter MurrayCopyright: Peter Murray

Jane Austen wrote there was "no finer county in England than Derbyshire" and Peter Murray's photo from the Peak District shows why it's hard to disagree.

He writes that it was "taken on the railway incline in Whaley Bridge at lunchtime today".

Sam Cooper has sent us this of the snow outside the University of Manchester earlier.

Sam CooperCopyright: Sam Cooper

Amelia from Stockport has made her very own snowgirl - and been kind enough to lend her a hat and scarf too.

Hayley ToulsonCopyright: Hayley Toulson

Snowfall has led to the closure of the A537 Cat & Fiddle Road between the Bull Hill Lane junction in Macclesfield and the A54 junction in Buxton.

Find more traffic information at the BBC Travel website.

Samantha Gorton says her little pup hasn't seen snow before like this and "bless her, didn't didn't know whether to eat it or leave it!"

Samantha GortonCopyright: Samantha Gorton

Professor of Astrophysics Tim O'Brien has tweeted this hazy image of the Lovell Telescope at the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Lower Withington.

Tim O'BrienCopyright: Tim O'Brien

Fortunately, a radio telescope works just as well in a whiteout.

BBC Weather predicts snow showers will become increasingly confined to the hills later in the day for Preston.

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It will remain windy with a significant wind chill and frost likely.

These alpacas in Over Alderley have taken shelter from the snow - but they've not shaken the flakes off their coats.

Annette Kinsella Copyright: Annette Kinsella

Thanks to Annette Kinsella for the picture.

BBC Weather predicts the snow showers will likely fall as sleet near the coasts and the snow will become increasingly confined to the hills later in the day for Manchester.

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Outbreaks of rain, sleet and hill snow will move southwards from midnight, easing later.

Lancashire County Council says it was prepared for the snow and had been out gritting since yesterday.

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Senior Highways manager Duncan Reeve said all priority routes were treated yesterday afternoon, in the evening and some were treated twice through the night.

Jane Michael has taken a photo from her house in Marple.

Jane MichaelCopyright: Jane Michael

She says it has stopped snowing and saw this blackbird out in one of the trees.

tweets: Six hours on this plane and we are now getting off, having moved not one inch. #ManchesterAirport #snow

Tim Beagon says buses were struggling to get up the hill in Marple Bridge earlier this morning.

Tim BeagonCopyright: Tim Beagon

Metrolink tells us tram services are operating as usual across Greater Manchester. Please check the website before travelling.

Soby BabuCopyright: Soby Babu

Chris Lord, from Lymm emails: "A nightmare journey this morning. Trying to travel from Lymm to Bingley, Yorkshire. Had to turn back at Rishworth Moor M62 due to gridlock.

"Travelled back to Lymm clockwise M60, but got stuck again from Bredbury to M56. I've only just made it home after 4&1/2 hour journey covering 66 miles!"

tweets: A very exasperated US crew member walking through the plane saying "I'm sorry guys, I have no information". #ManchesterAirport #snow

Blackburn with Darwen Council says: "Gritting teams are still out on the road this afternoon, with a full treatment planned to be carried out from 6pm tonight to deal with the on/off snow showers.

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"Lows of -2C overnight with snow and ice being the main hazards."

Neil Taylor has tweeted this 'absolutely fantastic' photo of the Frank Sidebottom statue enjoying the snow in Timperley.

Neil TaylorCopyright: Neil Taylor

A Franktastic photo? 'Yes it is, ACTUALLY!'

We've had official confirmation that flights have now resumed at Manchester Airport - but hold-ups are still possible.

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A spokesman said: "Following the poor weather experienced this morning, flights have now resumed but are subject to delays.

"The safety and security of our passengers is paramount and we continue to make significant efforts to clear snow from other parts of the airfield. Further periods of poor weather are forecast for the rest of the day, and we would ask all passengers to contact their airline before travelling to Manchester Airport."

In Greater Manchester and Lancashire, BBC Travel reports:

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tweets: Our plane now being de-iced before takeoff #ManchesterAirport #snow

Then tweets, a short time later: The de-icing truck has broken down. News announced to widespread groans. We are getting another, but more waiting #ManchesterAirport #snow

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News is reaching us from Manchester Airport that planes are beginning to take off again

Here's toddler Nathaniel Battle, standing proudly alongside his snowman - which he has named Nathaniel!

Lee BattleCopyright: Lee Battle

Thanks to his mother, Lee, for getting in touch

At least the weather is bringing out the best in some people in the Marple Bridge area of Stockport:

Mark Jones tweets: "Don't know who they were, but want to say a big thanks to the group of lads who gave my van a push up Compstall Road."

Glad things are moving again at Manchester Airport, but it's still grim out there on many of the North West's roads

Chris Lloyd has emailed us with this evocative photograph of the disruption on the M60. It sounds like he's had no end of trouble.

Chris LloydCopyright: Chris Lloyd

He says: "A nightmare journey this morning. Trying to travel from Lymm, Cheshire to Bingley, Yorkshire.

"Had to turn back at Rishworthmoor M62 due to gridlock. Travelled back to Lymm clockwise on the M60, but got stuck again from Bredbury to the M56. I've only just made it home after a four-and-a-half-hour journey covering 66 miles!"

Passengers have been told to prepare for departure.

We were due to set off to Newark, New Jersey at 09:15 from Manchester Airport but were delayed because of the snow.

The North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust advises taking extra care and only travelling if you need to.

Derek Cartwright, director of operations said: "Severe weather has a huge impact on the service as we, like all other road users, have to negotiate the hazardous driving conditions.

"There is always an increase in the number of road traffic collisions and falls and therefore I ask that the public only take necessary journeys.

"If you do need to travel, make sure you are prepared for extended journey times."

Mountain rescue volunteers are out in Rossendale and Pendle.

Team Leader Peter Goble says they are ready to help the emergency services.

Paul Thompson sent this picture in to show us how Stalybridge looked earlier. Thanks Paul!

Paul ThompsonCopyright: Paul Thompson

Here's a lovely picture of little Asher Wilks, of Stockport, sent in by his mother Katie.

Katie WilksCopyright: Katie Wilks

Katie says it's the 15-month-old's first experience of snow.

BBC Weather reports snow showers will likely fall as sleet near the coasts and the snow will become increasingly confined to the hills later in the day.

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Early snow showers in the east of the county caused problems for motorists ... It also caused 45 schools to close.

Lancashire County Council says it was prepared for the weather change and had been out gritting since yesterday.

Senior Highways Manager Duncan Reeve says they look after 4,300 miles of roads, with 1,500 priority routes.

Ted Stockton says there is about 10cm of snow in Stockport. I think that's the deepest snowfall I've been told about today - can anybody beat that?

Ted StocktonCopyright: Ted Stockton

Electricity North West (ENW) has apologised after some of its customers were woken up at about 04:00 GMT by calls warning them of strong winds.

Spokesman Jonny Morgan said the company has a "priority services register" to offer extra support for vulnerable customers during power cuts.

"Due to the bad weather we sent warning messages to everyone on our list yesterday afternoon," he added. "Unfortunately, some messages were not received until the early hours of the morning, including messages that were sent to landlines, resulting in phone calls."

He said ENW won't be sending further messages until they have resolved the matter, and people who want to opt out of future alerts should email enquiries@enwl.co.uk.

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Cheer up, Daisy and Charlie from Timperley, Greater Manchester! You've got an unexpected afternoon off school and your mum Sandra is freezing her unmentionables off while taking you sledging...

Some people love the snow, of course, and it certainly looks very pretty if you do not have to travel anywhere...

ALtrincham.todayCopyright: ALtrincham.today

Thanks to David Prior at the altrincham.today news website for this lovely shot of Dunham Massey - there are several other beautiful pictures on the site.

Richard Morris has emailed with this delightful picture of his springer spaniel, Hollie, in Chorlton, Manchester.

Richard MorrisCopyright: Richard Morris

Share your picturs by tweeting @BBCLancashire or @bbcradiomanc or emailing northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk

Paul Durnin emailed us: "Set off from a snow-free Wigan at 07:30 planning to arrive in Huyton in plenty of time before 08:30.

Finally arrived at 10:00, having witnessed three accidents and avoided several dumped vehicles….where did all that snow come from Winstanley and Billinge?....snow free in Huyton!

Two-and-a-half hours I will never get back!"

John Temple, of Timperley, Greater Manchester, has been in touch to describe the travel problems he has encountered today.

"A 60-mile trip from Timperley to Leeds usually takes 90 minutes but today it took three hours. I drive 600 miles per week so I'm well prepared for bad weather; I drive a 4-wheel drive car with winter tyres fitted.

"The problem today was that, although I could drive safely on the snow-covered M62, the vehicles in front of me could not. As soon as the traffic came to a halt on an up-hill stretch the lorries and vans couldn't get going again."

Manchester air traffic control tweets: Snow ploughs starting to make headway.

@NATSManchesterCopyright: @NATSManchester

Passengers at Manchester Airport have been venting their frustration on Twitter.

Anna Kotsonouris tweeted that her husband had been "sitting on Tarmac waiting to disembark for over 1 hour".

Adrian Cole tweeted: "In Hale this morning and there's about 10mm of snow, 2 mins up the road and they've shut Manchester airport!!! It's only snow!!"

An airport spokesman said: "We cannot control the weather, our teams are fully ready to clear the snow but we must ensure the airfield is safe."

Motorists are being urged to exchange details in minor crashes due to the high demand of calls concerning the weather conditions, Cheshire Police said.

The snow has made driving conditions hazardous and roads slippy and areas in the east of Cheshire have experienced heavy fall.

Drivers are being advised not to travel unless essential and to allow extra time for such journeys.

Dawn Scotland emails this photograph of her daughter Libbi at Torkington Park in Hazel Grove, Stockport.

Dawn Scotland Copyright: Dawn Scotland

Her school has been closed due to the snow.

Tell us what you're up to and share your pictures by tweeting @BBCLancashire or @bbcradiomanc or emailing northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk

Blackburn with Darwen Council says: "Refuse and recycling crews out and about as usual. Struggling with abandoned cars and some streets inaccessible.

"Leave bins out til 5pm and they will try their best. If they cant get to you, they will leave extra bags and will pick up on next collection."

The snowfall in Mottram this morning was 'up to my shins', Derek Colley tells us.

Derek Colley Copyright: Derek Colley

He said the local school is shut and roads are impassable. Thanks for the photo.

Good news for us passengers stranded on the runway at Manchester Airport, as we have been told the first scheduled departure will now be at 13:00 - and it's ours, the delayed 09:15 to Newark.

Cabin crew have been giving out biscuits and water, and we have also been offered chance to get off the plane and wait in the terminal if we want to.

And thankfully, the snow has now stopped.

About 20 schools in Oldham, Greater Manchester, have been forced to close because of snow.

Check on local council website for the latest information where you live.

Manchester Airport says it has "currently suspended all departures and arrivals for a short period of time, whilst we are in the process of clearing both runways of snow so we can resume operations as quickly as possible.

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"The safety and security of all of our passengers is of paramount importance and we ask for them to come to the airport as normal but to check with their airline for any further update."

An eight-mile drive from Timperley to the BBC's MediaCityUK offices at Salford Quays usually takes about 40 minutes towards the end of the morning rush. Today, it took more than two-and-a-half hours.

After moving about a mile in 90 minutes, I gave up and parked my car in the nearest safe place. A trek through the sludge and a remarkably problem-free Metrolink journey completed my morning from hell.

Can anybody beat that tale of misery? Please email northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk

This pooch looks like it's enjoying the snow in Disley. Thanks to Chris Chadwick for sending this photo in.

Chris ChadwickCopyright: Chris Chadwick

Sue Falkingham has tweeted this photograph from the window of her plane at Manchester Airport.

Sue FalkinghamCopyright: Sue Falkingham

Airport staff have been working since 07:00 to clear snow from runways.

All departures and arrivals have been suspended but passengers advised to head to the airport as normal.

I had to abandon my car this morning and head for the train because of the snow and ice, especially on the back roads through Darwen.

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Made it into work in one piece but there were delays and cancellations on the trains. Love the snow!

If you're sledging, making snowmen, snowed in or caught up in the travel disruption take a picture and send it in.

It'd be great if you could share what you're up to with us by tweeting @BBCLancashire or @bbcradiomanc or emailing me at northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk

The Highways Agency (HA) has issued a Severe Weather Alert for snow advising commuters to take extra care when travelling due to the increased risk of adverse driving conditions.

The HA, which is responsible for motorways and other major roads in England, says it is working closely with the Met Office to monitor weather conditions and maintain safe roads and reliable journeys.

Up-to-date information on road conditions is available on their website here or by calling 0300 123 5000 - but only call if it's safe to do so!

Our flight was due to set off to Newark at 9:15. We sat here for about half an hour and then were told both runways were closed.

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Since then, the weather has got much worse. There was no real warning. We knew the snow was coming but when we got to the airport, it was just very wet. I think we were unlucky. Had we been departing an hour earlier, we would have been alright.

The de-icing vehicles have been out but I think they're really fighting a bit of a losing battle and the snow's settled.

I'm sat next to a lady who has been trying to get home to Texas since Tuesday and this was her latest attempt.

Saddleworth and hill towns above Greater Manchester have seen some of the heaviest snow this morning.

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BBC North of England correspondent Judith Moritz is seen here reporting live for the BBC News Channel.

We have just heard a few more primary schools in Ramsbottom have shut due to the snowy conditions including St Joseph's Primary School.

is stuck on a plane bound for New York this morning and tweets : Just been told the runway at #ManchesterAirport closed until at least midday. Blizzard getting worse outside. Oh dear #snow

Manchester Airport has suspended all flights, both incoming and outbound, due to snow on the runways.

@swimto40Copyright: @swimto40

The airport had been alternating between runways while clearing the other, but closed them both for safety reasons at about 09:20. A spokeswoman said they may reopen at 10:30.

Sue Falkingham is on a plane at the airport and tweeted this picture, saying conditions are "getting worse".

reports the M60 clockwise at J18 Simister Island is closed northbound and there is slow traffic.

Blackburn with Darwen Council says: "We may need to close the A666 around Bull Hill until our gritters can get up there.

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"We are trying our best to get there as soon as we can but every route is gridlocked and not having much luck trying to get through.

"We also are having issues around the Pole Lane/Marsh House Lane area with cars being abandoned.

"If you see us coming please try to let us pass where you can, we'll get you moving a lot quicker if you can!"

The Met Office's severe yellow weather warning for snow is in place until 23:55 tonight.

Met OfficeCopyright: Met Office

Meteorologists predict snow showers will extend to parts of northern England with 5cm or more may fall even at some lower levels, with more than 15cm possible over higher ground.

Manchester Airport says a "handful" of planes were forced to circle before landing earlier while one of their two landing runways was cleared of snow.

The operation to de-ice and clear the snow began around 07:00. The airport's snow team will then switch to clear the other runway so that the "flow rate" of landings will be reduced.

It is not expected to cause any major disruption, said a spokesman.

BBC Travel reports there is queuing traffic and the road is just passable on the M65 between J2 at the M61 at Clayton Brook and J6 Blackburn because of snow.

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Commuters heading into Manchester are facing delays after a sudden snowfall hit this morning's rush-hour.

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Luke Ellis has just tweeted this picture heading out of Altrincham on the A56 this morning.

We have reports that traffic is at a standstill on the A666 in Darwen.

Mick Beeson texted in to say he has moved 200m in an hour heading into the town centre.

Gritters were out in force across Greater Manchester overnight.

Tameside CouncilCopyright: Tameside Council

Here's a picture taken from a gritter out on the roads in Mossley, Greater Manchester.

Forty-one schools have closed in East Lancashire due to the snow.

Here is Lancashire County Council's updated list of closures.

NW Motorway Police tweets: This is currently J21/22 M62 EB. Long delays, highways working to clear the stuck vehicles to allow ploughs through.

NW Motorway PoliceCopyright: NW Motorway Police

Hello I'm here with your snow news, travel and weather updates throughout the day.

If you have any pictures you'd like to share tweet us at @BBCLancashire, @bbcradiomanc or @bbcmerseyside