Commuters face treacherous begin as ice, snow and rain warnings cowl practically all of Britain – as airports shut runways and flooding blocks main roads and railway traces

Manchester Airport closed both runways again today amid heavy snow as weather warnings remained in force across the UK with commuters enduring disruption.

Ice and torrential rain presented additional hazards while flooding and thawing snow also caused problems, with 146 flood warnings and 283 alerts issued for England.

Workers at Manchester Airports were working to clear the runways of snow amid delays and diversion for flights – one day after both were shut for the same reason.

It comes after most of the UK saw heavy snow or icy rainfall over a wintry weekend that had two larger amber weather warnings, while there were stranded vehicles and collisions which blocked key roads across northern England.

A yellow rain warning for southern England from Cornwall across to Kent will last until 9am today, while a separate rain warning covering much of Wales, the Midlands and parts of Greater Manchester and Yorkshire was in force until 8am.

A yellow warning for snow and ice covering most of northern England and Wales was in place until midday today, while a yellow ice warning covering large parts of Northern Ireland expires at 11am.

The north and west of Scotland were covered by a yellow warning for snow and ice until 11am today, with another for snow and ice in central and eastern parts of the country in place until midday.

A further yellow snow warning covering part of the Scottish Lowlands including Edinburgh was in place until midday.

An amber weather warning for snow – which covered parts of Lancashire, Cumbria and the Lake District – expired at 6am today.

The Environment Agency had issued 146 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, and 283 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, across England this morning.

It said a combination of melting snow and rain could lead to ‘significant river flooding’ in areas of Lancashire and Warwickshire today, and it advised people to stay away from swollen rivers and to not drive through flood water.

Warwickshire Police said early today that a stretch of the A46 was shut in both directions due to flooding.

The force said in a statement: ‘The northbound section has been shut at Sherbourne and Longbridge, while the southbound section has been shut from Stanks to prevent traffic entering.’

Surrey Police said the M25 was closed anti-clockwise between Junction 10 (A3) and Junction 8 (Reigate) with a temporary diversion in place following a single-vehicle collision.

The force said a lorry had collided with the central reservation just before midnight, with diversions expected to be in place until this evening.

South Wales Police warned the A48 was closed from the Llanedeyrn roundabout due to a serious road traffic collision, with eastbound traffic down to one lane.

Natural Resources Wales had four flood warnings and 29 flood alerts in place.

Cold air will return and remain across the whole country from today onwards after a brief spell of milder conditions in southern areas, the Met Office said.

Deputy chief forecaster Mike Silverstone said: ‘The low pressure that brought the snow and heavy rain in the south will move out to the east by Monday. This will allow a cold northerly flow to become established again for much of next week.

‘This will bring further sleet, snow and hail showers to northern Scotland in particular, but possibly to some other areas, especially near western coasts, with a fair amount of dry and bright weather elsewhere.

‘Temperatures will remain below average, with widespread frost and the threat of ice at times. Some areas, especially in the north, may struggle to get above freezing for several days.’

Further weather warnings could be issued with the potential for some snow to fall in southern and central England and Wales around the middle of the week, Mr Silverstone said.