London24NEWS

Hundreds of drivers trapped as UK climate warning predicts 20cm snow chaos throughout 47 areas

Hundreds of drivers have reportedly been trapped in part of the UK after heavy snowfall this evening (November 19).

Images and video show roads around the North York Moors left impassable by snow and ice.

There have been reports of crashes on the A171 near Whitby with heavy traffic delays leaving people stuck in their cars. Motorists are now being told to avoid the area.

North Yorkshire Police said: “Please avoid the A171 near Whitby and across the moors towards Guisborough – lots of vehicles are getting stuck due to the weather conditions.

“The A174 out of Whitby maybe passable at this time. If in any doubt, please don’t travel if you don’t need to. Stay safe out there.”



A174 Boulby Bank
Some drivers on the A174 Boulby Bank near the North York Moors National Park risked being stranded

The A169 near Fylingdales has seen traffic diverted due to a lorry blocking the road, leaving traffic to be rerouted to Scarborough.

The incidents comes as the Met Office has issued an update to one of its snow and ice warnings on Wednesday evening. The national weather service cautioned that wintry showers could bring a risk of ice, potentially causing disruption from the evening of 19 November to the morning of 20 November.

The warning, which was in effect from 5pm on Wednesday until 11am on Thursday, was extended to cover much of northern and eastern Lincolnshire. The alert cautions Brits that icy conditions could disrupt transport, likely affecting some roads and railways.



Lorry stuck on A169
Lorry stuck on A169 near Fylingdales causing chaos on the roads

The forecaster also warned that pavements, cycle paths, and untreated roads may become icy in places, posing a safety hazard. Brits are advised to be careful to avoid injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.

This yellow weather alert for snow and ice is just one of six in place on Wednesday, impacting a total of 47 areas.

An amber warning will also come into force on Thursday, between 3am and 9pm, in the Redcar and Cleveland, East Riding of Yorkshire and North Yorkshire areas, reports the Express.



A snow plough on the A9 near Blair Atholl. Snow and ice warnings have come into force across the UK, as the Met Office said the wintry weather "could create some particularly tricky travel conditions" Picture date: Wednesday November 19, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
A snow plough on the A9 near Blair Atholl earlier today

Full list of 47 areas affected by a weather warning:

South West England:

  • Cornwall
  • Devon
  • Plymouth

Wales

  • Carmarthenshire
  • Ceredigion
  • Pembrokeshire
  • Swansea

North East England

  • Darlington
  • Durham
  • Gateshead
  • Hartlepool
  • Middlesbrough
  • Newcastle upon Tyne
  • North Tyneside
  • Northumberland
  • Redcar and Cleveland
  • South Tyneside
  • Stockton-on-Tees
  • Sunderland

Scotland, Lothian Borders

  • Scottish Borders

Yorkshire and Humber

  • East Riding of Yorkshire
  • Kingston upon Hull
  • North Yorkshire

Central, Tayside and Fife

  • Angus
  • Perth and Kinross

Grampian

  • Aberdeen
  • Aberdeenshire
  • Moray

Highlands and Eilean Siar

  • Na h-Eileanan Siar
  • Highland

Orkney and Shetland

  • Orkney Islands
  • Shetland Islands

Strathclyde

  • Argyll and Bute

East Midlands

  • Lincolnshire

East of England

  • Cambridgeshire
  • Norfolk
  • Suffolk

Yorkshire and Humber

  • East Riding of Yorkshire
  • Kingston upon Hull
  • North East Lincolnshire
  • North Lincolnshire

Northern Ireland

  • County Antrim
  • County Armagh
  • County Down
  • County Fermanagh
  • County Londonderry
  • County Tyrone

Meanwhile, the areas affected by an amber warning are:

North East England

  • Redcar and Cleveland

Yorkshire and Humber

  • East Riding of Yorkshire
  • North Yorkshire

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