Groundhog Predictions Notwithstanding, Winter Is Still Here!

Mother Nature is not quite done with winter yet, especially in the United Kingdom. Heavy snow across the country is wreaking havoc with travelers and shutting down schools.

Runways at five airports -- London Luton and Stansted, Cardiff, Birmingham and Bristol -- were all shut this morning and were to remain so until 14:00 local time.

UK newspaper The Times reports Bristol, Birmingham and Cardiff have all since opened, but flight delays are causing long backlogs for waiting passengers.

Although Heathrow remained open, 26 flights were cancelled. Gatwick was closed briefly early this morning, but opened in time to get flight off, albeit delayed.

Jon Horne, director of Cardiff International Airport warned travelers to expect delays for some time. Asked if he could have avoided the disruption, Horne said, "There will never be a time, unless something miraculous happens, where we do not get some disruption, because you can't keep flying while you keep clearing the runway. The two things do not happen simultaneously."

Also affected are the UK's extensive commuter train systems, many running but reporting long delays and cancellations. Even London's Underground was affected with delays and disruptions reported on the Piccadilly, Northern, Metropolitan, Hammersmith and City, Circle and Central Lines.

Reports say the icy blast is having the most effect on the southern parts of the country, with Scotland and the far north remaining relatively free of the flying white stuff.

Regions affected can expect more cold and icy weather tonight and on into the weekend making driving condition treacherous -- officials are urging caution for drivers not able to remain home.

Paul Simons, The Times's Weatherman, said, "There might be a repeat of what we have got today coming up at the weekend, but equally there may be mild air coming in. It is a difficult forecast at the moment."

Although the miserable travel conditions raised safety concerns and blood pressures across the country, at least one group of UK citizens are delighting in the weather. The Times reports scores of schools closings in the affected regions are giving kids an unexpected, but welcome wintery respite.

So if you're in the UK today, watch out for the flying snowballs. Better yet, drop what you're doing and join the fight!

FMI: www.dft.gov.uk, www.schoolswebdirectory.co.uk