Weather and travel updates as schools shut, major road closed and alert issued

That is the end of live reporting tonight. We will provide updates if the situation changes.

It is expected to get warmer next week - here is the latest Met Office forecast for your area of Greater Manchester. More here.

After a blisteringly cold week in Greater Manchester, an energy infrastructure expert has explained how freezing weather can lead to power outages. Taco Engelaar is the managing director at Neara, which provides infrastructure support to utilities.

And according to Engelaar, it's not necessarily the cold weather itself which might directly cause power cuts. It's actually the ways that people react to cold weather.

The Met Office is predicting freezing fog in areas of the North West tonight. Temperatures in some areas could plummet as low as -7.

The latest forecast for the region states:

Temperatures quickly falling below freezing this evening with another severe frost and icy stretches forming. Clear skies for most overnight but freezing fog patches forming in places, especially in southern counties of the region. Minimum temperature -7 °C."

The weather has affected a number of tomorrow's games.

Altrincham's home game against Wealdstone has been postponed, as has Oldham's home tie against Eastleigh.

Curzon Ashton's home game against Scarborough Athletic and Radcliffe's home league fixture against South Shields have also fallen victim to the weather.

As previously reported, Wigan Athletic's FA Cup match at Mansfield Town has also been called off.

An energy infrastructure expert has warned of a risk of power cuts in sub-zero temperatures.

Taco Engelaar, energy infrastructure expert and Managing Director at Neara, said: "The snow and frosty temperatures we're seeing this week could bring another hazard: power cuts.

"When millions of homes try to warm up at the same time, the grid experiences a surge that can test its capacity, resulting in bottlenecks that put our power supply under strain - possibly leading to power outages. "

Traffic reporting software Inrix has reported that there are delays on the M60 on the anticlockwise side.

Inrix said: "Delays due to earlier broken down vehicle on M60 anticlockwise at J1 (Stockport Pyramid)."

It added: "Not helped by afternoon traffic."

Buttons freezing on pedestrian crossing has left motorists facing traffic hold-ups as the lights change erratically.

With temperatures still dipping below freezing, Friday is forecast to see mist leading from the afternoon through into the night.

The mist is forecast to clear on Saturday morning. Saturday itself is forecast to see some sunshine leading into the early afternoon, though temperatures will remain low.

Going into the evening Saturday is forecast some cloud later on, which continues through to Sunday.

Sunday is forecast to be largely cloudy with some patches of sunshine peaking out. Temperatures are set to rise on Sunday, reaching a igh of 4C.

According to the Met Office Greater Manchester is in for a freezing weekend. In the short term, temperatures are predicted to rise just above 0C to 1C around 3pm on Friday afternoon.

But this will be lived as they are set once again plunge below zero, reaching -2C by 8pm and continuing that way overnight.

Saturday are predicted to see a high of 2C, before temperatures drop back to 0C overnight moving into Sunday, which will see a high of 3C.

More information coming soon

The M66 is now clear following a vehicle fire.

Here are some scenes from a sunny, frosty Oldham.

The A555 Manchester Airport relief road is still closed in both directions between Handforth and Poynton.

The closure extends westbound to Styal Road.

Stockport Council had hoped the road could reopen this afternoon following an inspection earlier today, but drivers are still unable to use it.

It comes as the Federation of Small Businesses is urging local leaders to act on a road which has been a frequent hotspot for flooding since it opened in 2018.

"It's hard not to feel that what's become an annual occurrence here in Greater Manchester would be tolerated in the South East," it claimed.

Read more here

This week's weather has made for stunning scenes across Greater Manchester.

Werneth Park, in Oldham, is looking great with sunshine over the frosty ground.

Here's the latest national forecast.

The North's railway networks have seen frequent disruption this week amid the freezing temperatures, snow and ice.

Northern has shared images of wintery scenes from across its network.

The incident on the M6 has now cleared.

Hundreds of homes were left without water last night in the city centre after a power cut affected water pumps.

Councillor Pat Karney says the water for Deansgate residents is now back on.

More than 65 schools are closed around Greater Manchester today - see the latest list here.

Temperatures are expected to plummet again tonight.

Unlike in recent days, where areas like Saddleworth saw the coldest weather, the Met Office expects colder temperatures further south.

Altrincham could see lows of -6C tonight.

Read more here.

Councils across Greater Manchester say they will be back out gritting roads ahead of temperatures falling again tonight.

In Manchester they will be working from midday.

Icy conditions have been affecting bin collections in Greater Manchester this week.

Tameside is the latest area to be hit by problems.

Services are now running through Atherton but there are delays of around 20 minutes.

People are being urged to look out for elderly and vulnerable friends, family and neighbours as a cold health alert is extended to Tuesday afternoon.

With freezing temperatures giving little chance for ice to thaw, drivers are faced with tricky conditions.

Karl Williams, fleet and compliance manager at Bolton-based electricals retailer AO, has shared his top tips to stay safe on the road.

1. Check your tyres

Cold weather can lower tyre pressures, reducing your car’s grip on slippery roads. Check your tyre pressures regularly and inflate them to the manufacturer’s recommended levels – you’ll usually find this in your car manual or on a sticker inside the driver’s door. If possible, consider switching to winter tyres, which provide extra traction when temperatures drop below 7C. At the very least, make sure your tyres have at least 3mm of tread for better grip.

2. Drive smoothly and keep your distance

Sudden movements like harsh acceleration, braking, or steering can cause your car to skid on icy roads. Instead, accelerate gently and use the highest gear possible to maintain control. Always leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle ahead – stopping distances can be up to 10 times longer in snow or ice. Give even more room around larger vehicles like lorries and buses, as they take longer to stop and could jack-knife if they lose traction.

3. Make sure your car is completely free of ice

Before setting off, clear snow and ice from all parts of your car – including the roof, windows, mirrors, lights, and number plates. Failing to do so could reduce visibility and lead to fines or penalty points on your licence. Use washer fluid with antifreeze to keep your windscreen clear, and always turn your wipers off at the end of each journey – frozen wipers set to automatic could tear their blades.

4. Use the right lights

On rural or unlit roads, use full beams – but switch to dipped headlights when another car approaches. In heavy snowfall or blizzard conditions, stick to dipped headlights for better visibility. If the fog rolls in or visibility drops below 100 metres, use your fog lights to ensure other drivers can see you clearly.

5. Be prepared for the unexpected

Keep a winter emergency kit in your car, including a snow shovel, torch, blanket, water, snacks, and a phone charger. These essentials could be a lifesaver if you get stuck. If you do find yourself in a rut, gently accelerate in a higher gear, rocking the car back and forth to free it. And don’t hesitate to ask for help – most people are happy to lend a hand.

M.E.N. reporter Nicole Wootton-Cane snapped these images of the Ashton Canal 'half frozen' this morning, in New Islington.

Passengers are facing disruption between Wigan and Manchester due to a broken down train at Atherton.

A replacement bus will leave Wigan Wallgate at 8.45am. calling at all stations to Manchester Victoria via Atherton.

Cedar Mount Academy in Gorton is open this morning.

It shares a site with Melland High School, which is closed.

More schools across Wigan and Trafford have been confirmed as closed.

See the full list here

This is the marina at New Islington, near the city centre.

It has been completely frozen over following bitter overnight conditions.

Several schools across Manchester, Stockport, Trafford and Wigan have confirmed they are closed today.

These schools have confirmed their closures so far:

• Altrincham C.E. Aided Primary School, Altrincham
• Altrincham College, Altrincham
• Altrincham Preparatory School, Altrincham
• Barton Clough Primary School, Stretford
• The Barlow RC High School, Didsbury
• Bedford High School., Leigh
• Bramhall High School, Bramhall
• Bowdon Church School, Bowdon
• Cansfield High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield
• Castle Hill High School, Stockport

• Eatock Primary School, Westhoughton

• Firs Primary School, Sale
• Hawkley Hall High School, Wigan
• Inscape House School, Cheadle
• Longford Park School, Stretford
• Manor Academy, Sale
• Melland High School, Gorton
• Moss Park Primary School, Stretford
• Oakfield High School, Hindley
• Oldfield Brow Primary School, Altrincham
• Pictor Academy, Timperley
• Ringway Primary, Wythenshawe
• Rowan Tree Primary School, Atherton
• Sale Grammar School, Sale
• Sandilands Primary School, Wythenshawe
• St Aidan's Catholic Primary School, Wythenshawe
• St Ann's Roman Catholic Primary School, Stretford
• St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School, Shevington
• St James' Catholic High School, Cheadle
• St John Fisher Catholic High School, Wigan
• St Mary's Catholic High School and Sixth Form College, Astley
• The Orchards School, Stretford
• Urmston Grammar School, Urmston
• Urmston Primary School, Urmston
• Wellacre Academy, Urmston
• Wellfield Infant School, Sale
• The Westleigh School, Leigh
• Winstanley College, Wigan
• Woodheys Primary School, Sale

More schools are likely to be added to the list here.

The A555 Manchester Airport relief road has been mostly closed since the turn of the year - following floods, snow and ice.

It remains shut in both directions between the A523 Poynton Relief Road and the B5358 Wilmslow Road.

The road is also closed westbound from Wilmslow Road to the B5166 Styal Road.

It could reopen this afternoon if an inspection goes well, however.

A Stockport Council spokesperson issued this update on Thursday night:

"Following further inspections throughout today (Thursday), and after this morning's snowfall, the A555 will remain closed until tomorrow, Friday morning.

"We know it's not the news you want to hear, but we will be inspecting the whole route in the morning with a view to reopening midday should the inspection show it is safe to open - safety for everyone is our top priority."

Commuters in Greater Manchester could be affected by disruption this morning amid the icy conditions.

A points failure has been reported by National Rail in Heald Green, Stockport.

Trains running between Manchester Airport and Piccadilly could be cancelled or delayed as a result.

The issue is particuarly affecting services on the Manchester Airport to Redcar route, and TransPennine Express customers can use their tickets on Metrolink services as a result.

Disruption is expected until at least 8.15am.

Good morning.

It's another bitter, freezing day in Greater Manchester, where temperatures plummeted again overnight.

The icy and wintery start to 2025 continues today, with people in the region waking up to temperatures around -3C.

The Met Office recorded a temperature of -7C at its nearest weather station to Manchester, in Rostherne, four miles south of Altrincham.

Further disruption is expected for many across the region today.

Many schools have already confirmed their doors will stay closed, while the A555 remains shut due to the weather.

Updates will be posted in this blog throughout the day.