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06
Jan
The Stray Ferret published a live weather blog for more than 15 hours yesterday, which you can catch up on here. With snow lingering, more travel disruption was expected today and many schools closed. We published live updates throughout the day, which you can read below.
With temperatures expected to barely get above zero in the next few days, and no rain forecast, it seems likely the snow and ice will be around for some days to come. It could feel as cold as minus seven tomorrow and temperatures aren't expected to improve until the weekend, so take care outside.
Firefighters from Harrogate were called to reports of a collapsed drain causing a home to be flooded at midday, according to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service's incident report.
The report added:
"Crews used a light portable pump and a main pump to relieve pressure on the drains. Incident was left in the hands of the water company to unblock the drains."
North Yorkshire Council has said its highways teams is working around the clock to tackle snow and ice.
It said in a statement:
"Gritting crews have been on hand to treat the roads, and road users are being urged to take extra care and only make essential journeys.
"Road surface temperatures are forecast to fall to up to minus nine degrees in places, and sandbags will be deployed to any communities affected by flooding as the snow starts to melt."
The A59 at Kex Gill diversion route is among the routes being gritted, it added.
Cllr Keane Duncan, the council's executive member for highways and transport, said: “
“Gritters have been on the road throughout the weekend and are continuing to work through the freezing temperatures that are forecast.
“Well done to everyone involved in the operation, including our drivers, duty managers and fleet farming contractors.
“I would urge residents to be vigilant and take care when travelling over the coming days.
“We are braced for potential flooding as the snow melts. We are closely monitoring the situation, with pumps and sandbags ready to be deployed as required.”
The council also warned recycling collections in the Harrogate area were liable to suffer disruption this week.
A brief update on local recycling centres:
Jonathan Swales, chairman of the Harrogate and Knaresborough branch of Reform UK, has questioned the effectiveness of North Yorkshire Council's response.
He said:
"We have been told for days to expect heavy snow and as expected over a foot of snow fell in Harrogate over the weekend. No snowploughs or gritters to be seen! Roads and especially footpaths are treacherous. North Yorkshire Council asleep at the wheel again."
Is this criticism fair? Let us know in the comments section below.
Mr Swales also sent this photo of Pannal Ash Road, which is the main route for pupils attending Rossett School.
Pannal Ash Road
Lynton Academy, which is based at Grove Park Terrace, off Skipton Road in Harrogate, has postponed today's classes.
The depth of snow in Nidderdale is evident in this image posted by Stump Cross Caverns. The road from Pateley Bridge to Greenhow Hill continues to Stump Cross and it's little surprised, judging by this image, that the council has closed the highway to traffic, as mentioned in our previous update.
Patelkey Bridge Town Council has posted that North Yorkshire Council has closed Greenhow Hill at Duck Street and Bewerley because they are not currently passable.
The post added:
"Significant snow depths due to drifting snow and traffic are getting stuck which is hindering any ploughing. North Yorkshire Council will reopen as soon as is possible when it is clear and safe."
In its most recent update, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal has said it won't be able to open today. It planned to open at midday but the "sheer volume of snow" has put a stop to things.
The National Trust site said online:
"The team have been out since 7.30am clearing paths and car parks. We’re so sorry but due to the sheer amount of snow we won’t be able to open the site today. Our priority is clearing the paths so we can open safely tomorrow."
Northern Powergrid's live power cuts map indicates almost 150 homes in Nidderdale are currently without power, with Birstwith among the worst hit.
North Yorkshire Council has warned of "some disruption to some waste and recycling collections this week" due to the weather.
It said in a social media post:
"In the former Harrogate and Craven areas, we will continue to collect as normal, where possible. Please leave your waste and recycling out, but bear with us as collections maybe delayed."
The website Knaresborough Photography has shared some charming images on social media, including this one from yesterday.
Photo: Knaresborough Photography
These photos were shared by the North Yorkshire Weather Updates Facebook page. Someone measured 16 inches of snow up at Greenhow Hill, the highest point in the Harrogate district.
It's deep, but someone definitely appears to be enjoying the snow.
Credit: North Yorkshire Weather Updates
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal will open today.
The National Trust site this morning said on social media it will open at midday today as the estate road, car parks and some paths are "still impassable with snow".
RHS Harlow Carr has issued another update. Last night, it said the gardens would be closed all day but the inside part of the garden centre and Bettys would open.
This is still the case, but it said on social media the garden centre and Bettys will aim to open at 11am. It added:
"We ask for your patience while our team works hard to try and clear the car park for customers to visit the Garden Centre (inside only) and Bettys Tea Rooms.
"The plan is to open at 11am but we are monitoring the situation. Car parking will be limited."
Pateley Bridge Leisure and Wellness Hub, one of the council's leisure centres, remains closed today due to the snow. It was also closed yesterday.
All other Active North Yorkshire sites are open but the council has urged people to take care as the car parks are covered in snow and ice.
Flights are leaving Leeds Bradford Airport but snow remains on the runway.
These photos were shared online by Ella Sudgen, who said she was boarding her flight to Faro just after 10am this morning. The flight was delayed from yesterday morning, when the snow was still falling, but she thanked airport staff for continuing to clear the snow.
The second photo was taken just after 9am and shows piles of snow in the airport car park.
Photo: Ella Sudgen
Photo: Ella Sudgen
North Yorkshire Council has confirmed that the west Harrogate household recycling centre will be closed today due to the weather conditions.
The centre at Stonefall in Harrogate and Ripon are also closed, but may open later today. The council said customers should check the North Yorkshire Council site for updates.
Leeds Bradford Airport has warned passengers to expect disruption to flights today due to the weather.
The airport said its staff have worked overnight to try and clear the runway, but passengers should still expect delays to flights.
A statement from LBA this morning said:
Our teams have been working overnight to clear the runway. Most of last night’s arrivals were diverted, our airline partners need to reposition aircraft and crew back to LBA before resuming today’s flight schedule.
Disruption to today’s flights is expected. Please check with your airline for the latest updates and revised departure timings before traveling to LBA.
Due to adverse weather conditions, the long stay and car rental shuttle bus is currently postponed until further notice. Customers are required to walk to the terminal. Please follow the instructions provided at the bus stops and exercise caution while navigating through the car parks.
We will provide further service updates throughout the day. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
A brief recap on the travel situation in the Harrogate district.
Trains are running as normal on the Harrogate line. Northern has said a signalling fault affecting the line earlier this morning has been resolved.
Harrogate Bus Company has said that the following services will not be running due to the weather:
Rossett School
Oatlands Junior School
Western Primary School
The Forest School
Outwood Academy Ripon
Darley and Summerbridge Primary Schools
GS Federation - Admiral Long, Sicklinghall and Goldsborough Primary School
Harrogate Grammar School
King James’s School
Forest Moor School
You can see the full updated list from North Yorkshire Councl here.
Transdev says the following services are not running due to the weather:
-No 2 to Bilton
-No 3 to Jennyfields
-No 4 to King Edwin Park
-No 6 to Pannal Ash
We will keep you updated as the situation progresses
There has been some confusion about whether Boroughbridge High School is open. We have called the school and can confirm that it is opening today.
The Environment Agency currently has 159 flood warnings and 294 less severe flood alerts active nationally. There are ongoing alerts and warnings in York, Leeds and Thirsk but none in the Harrogate district, although that could change when meltwater enters rivers.
RHS Garden Harlow Carr is closed today. But Betty’s and the garden centre (inside) will be open as usual.
Northern has just posted:
"Disruption caused by a fault with the signalling system between York and Harrogate has now ended. Services are no longer affected by this problem."
A parent informs us Ripon Grammar School has bucked the trend and is open today.
North Yorkshire Council has publshed a list of schools closed today. You can see it here.
It includes King James's School in Knaresborough.
Rail operator Northern has announced:
"Due to a fault with the signalling system between York and Harrogate the line is blocked. Services running through these stations will be cancelled."
I was about to post that there had been no updates from the Harrogate Bus Company when this popped up on its social media.
"Due to weather conditions, the following services will not be running until further notice. No2, No 3, No 4 and No 6."
With last night's expected thaw not really happening, several schools so far today have already announced closures. What are the odds of more doing so? Ripon Races posted this charming photo yesterday alongside the caption: "The snow clerk and snow head groundsman are in agreement there’s snow chance of racing this afternoon." We suspect that they will be offering long odds against schools opening today...
The latest Met Office forecast includes a yellow weather warning for snow and ice until midday. However, it should brighten up and no significant new snow is expected.
The closure theme continues as another secondary school announces its closure. We await to hear what local primary schools decide.
Here's what Rachel Donohue, principal of Outwood Academy in Ripon, said this morning:
"Unfortunately, the academy site will be closed today due to poor weather conditions. Student and staff health and safety remains our priority.
"Please ensure that your child is informed that learning will take place online today. All lessons will be delivered remotely and should be accessed using google login details. The learning links will be sent to your child shortly.
"I will be in touch later today with a further update."
The school becomes the latest to announce its closure. It says on social media:
"After careful consideration of the current weather conditions and the safety of our students and staff, we have made the difficult decision to close the school today. We understand that this may cause some disruption, but the safety and wellbeing of everyone is our top priority.
"Please stay safe, stay warm, and take all necessary precautions. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed. Thank you."
Harrogate High School also announces it will close today and re-open tomorrow.
The school has announced it will be closed today.
Several local schools said they would make a decision by 7am this morning on whether o open. They included secondary schools Harrogate Grammar School, Rossett School in Harrogate and Outwood Academy in Ripon.
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