Cold snap hits Lancashire with yellow weather warning in place
The warning covers most of Lancashire and the North West until this morning
Motorists in Lancashire have been put on notice a of delays, and possible cancellations on the trains, after snow hit the North West overnight
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning, for snow and ice, covering central and eastern Lancashire until at least 11am this morning.
The warning stretches over most of the north west.
National Rail warned the cold climate would impact various routes on the Northern Rail until at least 2pm on Tuesday.
Mersey Rail issued an alert warning passengers that due to the potential of snow and ice covering tracks, the first service on each line in north west England would run without customers to ensure conditions could be checked.
Dan Suri, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "An area of low pressure slides its way eastwards on Monday night. The associated frontal system, marking the boundary between cold air in the north and milder conditions to the south, will bring disruptive snow to some areas between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
"This is likely to coincide with rush hour, leading to disruption to some transport routes across a central swathe of the UK on Tuesday morning. It will also be windy in the far south."
Impacted roads included the M26 between J21-J23, the M1 at Leeds and Sheffield and the M56 at Manchester.
It comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the first amber cold weather health alert of the season this week.
The amber warning covers the east and north of England, midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber, with yellow alerts coming into place for the South East, South West and London at 8am on Tuesday, lasting until 6pm on Saturday.
Charity Age UK warned that the conditions could be dangerous for vulnerable people, including the elderly.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, from the UKHSA, said: "This is the first amber Cold Weather Health Alert of the season, but we can expect more as we approach winter, and it is vital to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the onset of cold weather.
"Particularly if they are elderly or otherwise at increased risk."
Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said the charity was worried that the loss of the Winter Fuel Payment has caused many older people to be "extra fearful" about turning on their heating this winter.
"With high energy bills and food prices it is understandable that some may think they have to cut back on food and turn their heating off, but prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can have a serious impact on an older person's health, especially if they are already trying to manage existing illnesses," she said.