Heavy snowfall in South Yorkshire has led to dangerous travel conditions. Snowfall started late last night and worsened overnight, causing many vehicle stoppages. Traffic is slowly improving but significant road closures remain.

Impact of Heavy Snowfall on Travel in South Yorkshire

South Yorkshire is experiencing significant travel disruptions due to heavy snowfall that commenced late last night. The extreme weather has rendered several roads impassable, particularly affecting the Stocks Bridge bypass, which only accommodates four-wheel drive vehicles and tractors. Many drivers found themselves trapped, reflecting the urgency of adhering to travel advisories during such adverse weather conditions.

Current Road Conditions and Advisory Updates

Despite the grim situation earlier in the morning, road conditions are gradually improving as snow plows and gritters have been deployed to clear arteries like the Stocks Bridge bypass towards Huddersfield. However, key routes remain closed, including Woodhead Pass and Snake Pass, meaning that anyone traveling from the Peak District to the Northwest should plan for alternative routes. Motorists are also facing issues on the M1 motorway, where a closure due to an HGV accident has compounded travel woes.

Weather Outlook and Safety Recommendations

As temperatures hover around one degree Celsius, the immediate snow situation has paused, but further snowfall is anticipated, particularly in higher elevations. Residents in areas above 300 meters are advised to prepare for additional snow accumulation between 30 to 40 cm later today. Authorities recommend avoiding unnecessary travel unless absolutely required, emphasizing that safety should be the priority during such icy conditions.

The South Yorkshire region has been grappling with severe snowfall that began around 10:30 PM last night. The snow continued through the night, resulting in treacherous driving conditions. The Stocks Bridge bypass is currently only passable for four-wheel drive vehicles, leading to numerous two-wheel drive vehicles getting stuck, including those belonging to local media teams. After an overnight struggle, snow plows and gritters have begun to clear the roads, but more traffic is needed to activate the salt spread effectively. The situation improved somewhat this morning, with enough traffic flow to keep the Stocks bypass open toward Huddersfield, but closures persist in other areas. Notably, Woodhead Pass and Snake Pass are still closed, complicating travel from the Peak District to the Northwest. This situation is further exacerbated by additional closures on the M1 motorway due to an HGV accident believed to be caused by the severe weather. Although the snow has stopped for now, temperatures remain low, hovering just around one degree Celsius, and there's potential for more snow this afternoon at higher altitudes, possibly accumulating up to 40 cm. Residents are advised to check their routes before traveling and to avoid unnecessary journeys today.