Ice warnings are in place for much of the UK as temperatures drop after severe flooding was declared.
A yellow Met Office warning indicates difficult travel conditions are possible from across Scotland, Northern Ireland and North Wales into the Midlands until 10am on Thursday.
A snow and ice warning is in place for northern Scotland until 10am, the Met Office said, as rain turning to snow could cause travel problems and make driving difficult.
The Met Office and Railways on Thursday warned people planning to travel despite the winter weather, warning Brits to plan ahead if they travel.
Difficult driving conditions are expected, especially in areas under yellow weather warnings. We recommend allowing extra time as delays, detours or disruption to road users may occur.
Passengers using public transport are advised to check timetables and services before departure in case of delays or cancellations due to bad weather.
Rail said the bad weather was affecting trains across the UK, with Northern Railway, Transpennine Express, Transport for Wales and ScotRail services all affected.
Two new flood warnings were issued just before 6am on Thursday, with river levels peaking at the Lower River Pier System in Yorkshire and the Lower River Eure Navigation in North Yorkshire. Peak levels mean both the River Wharf and Eure river systems and surrounding tributaries are at risk of flooding.
Areas most at risk within the Lower Ure River catchment include low-lying land such as farmland and local roads in the areas around Masham, Boroughbridge, Oldborough and Bishop Monckton. For the Lower River Wharf, the area at risk of flooding extends from Otley to the upper reaches of Ureskelf, including Tadcaster.
No further significant rainfall is expected in the area on Thursday, with water levels expected to start falling within the next few hours. People are advised to avoid using low-lying footpaths and bridges near local watercourses and not attempt to walk, drive or cycle through flood water.
A major incident was declared in Greater Manchester on Wednesday after heavy rain forced the evacuation of flooded homes and closed rail lines and roads.
Greater Manchester Police said in a statement that a major incident had occurred as mountain rescue teams were called out to assist Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service in dealing with damaged goods and stranded vehicles. The force added that affected areas were still under surveillance in Didsbury, Stockport, Trafford and Wigan.
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Police said around 450 people were evacuated from a hotel in Didsbury on Wednesday night, but 400 homes were at low risk and no major evacuation was necessary. Residents were also evacuated from a block of flats in Meadow Mill, Stockport.
Heavy rain fell across north-west England and Wales on Wednesday, with Marsden receiving 101.2mm (more than West Yorkshire's average January rainfall of 85.1mm) and Capel Curig in Wales receiving 101.2mm.
In Bristol, a severe weather emergency protocol has been activated by Bristol City Council and homelessness relief charity St Mungo's, which will be in place until January 8th and will be used for outreach, with the aim of keeping everyone awake at night. Shifts will increase and more accommodations will become available. Streets during such abnormal weather.
Met Office senior meteorologist Marco Petagna said: “Most roads will be treated, but ice could still be a problem on untreated roads. Further snow and ice warnings are in place on Friday. I think so.”
A three-day yellow snow warning has been issued for most of England and Wales and parts of Scotland this weekend as the Met Office warned rural communities could be cut off. Schools could close, forecasters said, and there could be power outages, road closures and flight and train delays or cancellations.
The yellow alert will be in place from midday on Saturday until 9am on Monday and covers all of England except the south west, most of Wales and parts of southern Scotland.
Forecasters said around five centimeters of snow was expected across large parts of the Midlands, Wales and northern England, adding that 20 to 30 centimeters of snow was expected to fall in the highlands of Wales and the Pennines.
