North Yorkshire bears brunt and more snow on the way (From The Northern Echo)

North Yorkshire bears brunt and more snow on the way

8:17am Saturday 19th December 2009

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FORECASTERS last night warned more blizzards and freezing temperatures are on the way, after heavy snowfalls hit the region.

North Yorkshire bore the brunt of the weather, with 39 schools closed and many routes left impassable by snow and ice.

Last night, forecasters predicted up to five centimetres of snow will fall, while temperatures look likely to plummet well below freezing.

Billy Payne, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: “Today will be lmainly dry and bright after an early frost.

“There will be some snow around, spreading south throughout the day, which will clear through the evening.

“The region could see as much as five centimetres of snow in some areas.

“Tonight into tomorrow morning is looking frosty, while tomorrow is looking drier with a few blustery showers making their way across the Pennines.

“It will be a generally cold weekend.”

Mr Payne said the highest daytime temperature both today and tomorrow would be three degrees Celsius, dropping to as low as minus seven degrees tonight and minus four tomorrow evening.

In North Yorkshire yesterday, a series of minor traffic accidents caused problems for commuters.

The A168 was blocked in Dishforth, near Thirsk, because of a jack-knifed lorry, the A6108, between Halfpenny House and Richmond, was blocked by snow and in the Yorkshire Dales, the road between Blazefield and Skell Gill was closed because of an overturned gritter.

The snow caused disruption to southbound train services from York, and problems for travellers around the country.

There were serious delays, diversions and cancellations at Gatwick and Luton Airports, while a number of motorists were stuck in their cars in Essex and Kent.

The AA dealt with breakdowns at the rate of 1,400 an hour.

In York, new bride Grace Sentamu, daughter of the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, had a white wedding with a twist at York Minster.

Miss Sentamu arrived for her wedding to Tim Baverstock wearing wellies under her traditional wedding dress.

Her father officiated at the service, while her mother, Margaret, gave the bride away.

Afterwards the couple, their families and friends left for a reception in the grounds of Bishopthorpe Palace.

On Teesside, a Santa charity spectacular, expected to raise thousands for a children’s hospice, was cancelled because of the bad weather.

The annual Boundary 500 Motorcycle Santa Ride was due to take place today in aid of Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, in Middlesbrough.

Last year’s event attracted more than 180 bikers who raised £26,000 for the charity, which relies on donations to stay afloat. Organisers hope it will be rescheduled in February.

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