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Yorkshire snow: Drivers warned as roads closed

Chrissie/Weather Watchers Snowy scene in AskriggChrissie/Weather Watchers
Parts of the Yorkshire Dales have seen heavy snow showers, including the village of Askrigg in Wensleydale

Motorists in North Yorkshire have been told not to travel unless the journey is essential amid dangerous road conditions caused by snow showers.

Eighty-nine schools in West and North Yorkshire have been closed for the day due to the weather.

The A169 from Pickering to Whitby was closed due to stranded vehicles, the county's roads policing group said.

A number of people and vehicles also had to be rescued after becoming stuck in the snow near Dalby Forest.

Snow showers were forecast for many parts of West and North Yorkshire until Friday evening.

Billy The Kid/Weather Watchers Difficult driving conditions in FewstonBilly The Kid/Weather Watchers
The showers led to hazardous driving conditions in Fewston, North Yorkshire
Dogs Trust Dogs out for a walk in the snowDogs Trust
The dogs cared for by the Dogs Trust charity in Leeds had a cold morning walk

Under current national lockdown rules, residents must not leave their homes except where necessary.

The closed schools had been open to serve vulnerable pupils and key workers' children.

High Lions/Weather Watchers Snowy scene in AmpleforthHigh Lions/Weather Watchers
Much of North Yorkshire has seen snow showers, including Ampleforth in the Ryedale district
Pannal
Harrogate also saw heavy snow, with traffic slowing to cope with conditions in Pannal

Northern Rail said flooding on the railway between Glaisdale and Whitby meant all lines were blocked.

Disruption is expected until the end of the day, with the stations of Whitby, Egton, Grosmont, Sleights and Ruswarp not currently served.

In West Yorkshire, Holme Moss in Kirklees has been shut due to the snowfall.

Sgt Paul Cording, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "If you are out and about on an essential journey, please do drive to the conditions, make sure you've got your lights on and you can be seen.

"We don't want to put any more pressure on our already overstretched NHS, so please take care."

North Yorkshire County Council Sutton BankNorth Yorkshire County Council
Road conditions were challenging on Friday morning, including on Sutton Bank Hill in the North York Moors National Park
Sledging
Children in Harrogate made the most of the weather with their sledges
Glynn B/Weather Watchers Snowy view in DenholmeGlynn B/Weather Watchers
The hills surrounding Denholme in Bradford received a covering of snow

North Yorkshire Police traffic constable David Minto tweeted: "Heavy snowfall around the county...North and east areas particularly affected and certainly high ground."

Posting on Twitter, Scarborough & Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team issued a warning for people not to travel on to the moors.

Rescuers said they were currently dealing with families and their vehicles who were stuck.

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