Sleet, hail and ‘thundersnow’ is causing havoc on the roads in Greater Manchester this morning.
Temperatures plunged to below zero degrees overnight, bringing light snow to hilly areas such as Oldham, Rochdale and Stalybridge and along the M62.
There were also thunderstorms in some areas of Greater Manchester, with residents reporting seeing the lightning in Chadderton, Prestwich and Worsley.
The Met Office have issued yellow warnings of ice for Cheshire East, Greater Manchester and Lancashire which remain in place until 10am.
There are a number of problems on the roads due to the weather, with drivers being warned to take care due to icy conditions.
One lane is closed on the M6 due to an overturned car between Byrn and Ashton-in-Makerfield.
Traffic is also queuing on the M62 Eastbound between Croft Interchange and Birchwood, which is affecting drivers travelling towards Manchester from Warrington.
The route of the 83 bus in Oldham has also changed route this morning due to the bad weather and will be terminating at Mumps.
Ice now causing issues
As evening approaches and the temperature drops, it could be ice that brings more problems through the rush-hour.
Snake Pass open again
This latest update from our traffic information service, Inrix, is no longer stating that the Snake Pass is closed. We’d still suggest that it’s worth avoiding though.
Slow traffic and hazardous driving conditions on A57 Snake Pass in both directions between Hurst Road (Glossop) and A6013 (Ladybower Reservoir).
Will it keep snowing?
Snow and ice will continue to cause mayhem on the roads after Met Office bosses issued yet another weather warning.
Forecasters have issued a yellow warning for ice for Greater Manchester overnight on Friday and into Saturday.
Low temperatures will cause snow, sleet and rain to freeze, and motorists are being warned to take care on the roads.
Weather experts say more snow could fall in some parts of the region, with around 1-3cm on hills above 200m, and 5cm above 400m.
Full forecast HERE
Saddleworth and Mossley Local Link suspended for most of day
Saddleworth and Mossley Local Link has been suspended until 6pm due to weather conditions, TfGM have said.
They tweeted: “We will provide an update after this time. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
Some bus services returning to normal
Bus services in Oldham are starting to return to normal after the morning’s disruption.
The 83 is now started serving Sholver via Wilkes Street, and the 387, 389, are back to their normal route.
The 519/520 services are turning around at Mossbank way roundabout due to ice at the turning circle. Services won’t be picking at Johnson Fold.
Another children's centre closes
Saddleworth North and South Children Centre in Greenfield has now closed due to the weather.
St James Children Centre and Bluecoat CE school have also both shut this morning.
Snake Pass remains closed
The Snake Pass remains closed due to the weather.
A car earlier also overturned on the road.
Latest pictures of the snow in Oldham
M.E.N. photographer Sean Hansford has sent us these pictures of the snow on Oldham Road in Lydgate.
Children's centre closed due to snow
St James Children Centre in Oldham has now been closed due to the snow.
It is the second school to close in Oldham this morning.
Bluecoat CE school is also shut due to a broken boiler.
How it's looking in Oldham
There has been a lot of snow in and around Oldham.
This picture shows how its looking at Moorside.
Poor driving conditions on M62
There is currently poor visibility M62 around J22 for Rishworth Moor due to the snow and fog.
There is snow on the hard shoulders but the traffic lanes are clear.
Fresh Met Office weather warning
The Met Office has issued a new weather warning of ice, valid until Saturday at 10am.
The warning says: “Wintry showers, continuing during Friday and overnight, will lead to the possibility of ice forming as temperatures fall this evening and overnight.
“This will occur primarily on untreated surfaces but perhaps also where grit is washed off by frequent showers. Additionally, 1-3 cm of snow may accumulate on hills above around 200 m and more than 5 cm above 400m.
“Some of the heaviest showers could produce slushy conditions even at low levels. Please be aware of possible tricky travel conditions.”
Latest bus disruption
The latest disruption on First bus services around Oldham
- 389 Not servicing Yew tree estate. It is staying on Cheetham Hill Road, Dukinfield
- 83 – Service terminating at Mumps
- 184/180 – All terminating at Grotton including the Huddersfield Bus Station service
- 81/81a – Terminating at Mumps
- 59 – Terminating at Wrens Nest
- 425 – Not servicing Holts only Fitton Hill. Holts bound buses terminating at Mumps
- 438 – Terminating at Daniel Fold
- 387/389 – Not servicing Ridge Hill estate
- 38/39 – Not servicing Hazelhurst. 38 turning left from Rosehill to King Rd. 39 turning right onto King Road to Rosehill
- 353/354 Not serving Dobcross or Delph
Plane struck by lightning
A flight had to return to Manchester Airport after being reportedly being struck by lightning.
The drama unfolded earlier this morning shortly after Flybe flight BE1271 took off for Amsterdam during this morning’s snow storm.
Full story HERE
7cm of snow in Oldham
Up to 7cm of snow has fallen in parts of Oldham.
This measurement was taken in Lydgate.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
This picture shows the snow coming down at Sainsbury’s in Oldham town centre.
Ice now causing problems
Ice is now becoming a problem for drivers.
Here is Oldham Road in Lydgate which is now at a standstill.
Snow now coming down in city centre
It has started snowing heavily across the region now, and is also falling in the city centre.
Snake Pass now closed
The Snake Pass has now been closed due to snow between Hurst Road and Ladybower Reservoir.
The snow had been causing difficult driving conditions, and a car had overturned.
School closure in Oldham
Despite the heavy snow in Oldham this morning there is only one reported school closure.
The Blue Coat School in the town centre has had to shut due to a boiler failure.