DRIVERS have been stranded in their cars for nine hours on the M62 as Storm Larisa batters Britain with blizzards.
The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning and told Brits to expect “strong winds bringing blizzard conditions”.
They say heavy snow is likely to cause significant disruption this morning.
Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey explained a storm, which has been named by the French weather service, is bringing the freezing weather.
He said: “Storm Larisa, which Meteo France have named, is the same low-pressure system that is bringing us the bands of rain.
“But essentially, we’re on the northern side of the low-pressure system and it’s the southern side of that low-pressure system that is going to be bringing particularly strong winds to parts of France.
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“So that did originate out in the Atlantic and then it tracked its way eastward towards us, and the weather fronts that are swirling around that low pressure system have then been pushing into the cold air that has been in places across the UK and allowing that rain to start falling as snow across several areas.”
The Met Office has issued three amber warnings for northern England, the Midlands, North Wales and Northern Ireland, where “significant disruption” to transport and power supplies are expected.
Four yellow warnings for snow also cover much of the rest of the nation, with the exception of South East England and western Scotland.
They warn: “Heavy snow is likely to cause significant disruption on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
“Strong easterly winds are expected to accompany this snow, leading to blizzards and drifting of lying snow.”
Shocking video and photos show hundreds of cars that have been trapped on the M62 since 1:am this morning.
Freezing conditions brought the vehicles to a standstill – and the traffic is only set to get worse as people wake up this morning across the country.
Palwasha Afzal, 23, began her journey from Manchester to Huddersfield at midnight – and is still on the motorway nine hours later.
The drive usually takes around an hour but she has been caught in the motorway weather chaos.
The credit hire consultant said: “I’m still travelling on the motorway, travelling from Manchester to Huddersfield, we left at 12am and we’re currently still here.
“The motorway is horrific. There are lorries broken down, cars broken down, there are lorries spinned on the motorway it’s horrible.
“We’ve been here for nine hours. Honestly, I’m drained. Luckily my husband is driving not me.”
It comes as forecasters say Britain is set to be hit with even more snow.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “The boundary between milder and colder air is gradually moving north, with some heavy and persistent snow likely at times on the northern edge of this boundary.
“Snow has already settled quite widely in central parts of the UK and further accumulations are likely even to lower levels with disruption most likely for those within the amber warning areas.
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“With some strong winds accompanying these snow showers, blizzard conditions are likely for a time in northern England and Wales, as well as parts of Northern Ireland.
“Ice will be a continuing hazard for many in the forecast period, with very low overnight temperatures likely to exacerbate continued likely travel disruption.”
National Highways, the Government-owned organisation responsible for England’s motorways and major A roads, told motorists: “We are currently experiencing very high call volumes to our call centre, so you may encounter a delay if trying to get through to us.”
The organisation’s executive director of operations, Duncan Smith, said: “We are well prepared and our gritters have been out in full force since Friday, March 3 and will continue to treat the roads.
“We are asking drivers to plan ahead, check the forecast and allow more time for their journeys.”
Salt spread by gritters does not stop snow from settling on road surfaces, but it does make it easier to remove with snowploughs.
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