Avalanche Warning As Snow Hits Lake District
The Lake District National Park Authority warns walkers not to scale Helvellyn, England's third highest mountain, because of treacherous conditions
An avalanche warning was issued for one of England's highest peaks yesterday as the freezing weather brought chaos - and more than a foot of snow - to Northern Ireland. The Lake District National Park Authority warned walkers not to scale Helvellyn, England's third highest mountain, because of treacherous conditions.
Craig Palmer, one of the authority's fell top assessors, said it was years since he had seen the 950m-high peak and its surrounding area in such a dangerous state.
He said a wind chill factor of nearly -16C, solid ice and up to half a metre of snow had made the mountain perilous. "It's lethal underfoot as edges are literally breaking away," he said. "An added danger comes from a cornice of snow, which could break off and avalanche at any time.
"I've rarely seen anything as bad as this in the Lake District and I would strongly urge people - even those experienced in winter mountaineering - not to venture on to hills until the situation improves."
Heavy overnight snowfalls in Northern Ireland left roads impassable, affected flights at Belfast international airport and forced the closure of many schools. The Roads Service said that conditions were "horrendous" despite their efforts with gritters and snowploughs. People were told to stay at home unless their journeys were absolutely necessary.
On Thursday night a thunderstorm cut electricity supplies to thousands of homes for several hours.
Craig Palmer, one of the authority's fell top assessors, said it was years since he had seen the 950m-high peak and its surrounding area in such a dangerous state.
He said a wind chill factor of nearly -16C, solid ice and up to half a metre of snow had made the mountain perilous. "It's lethal underfoot as edges are literally breaking away," he said. "An added danger comes from a cornice of snow, which could break off and avalanche at any time.
"I've rarely seen anything as bad as this in the Lake District and I would strongly urge people - even those experienced in winter mountaineering - not to venture on to hills until the situation improves."
Heavy overnight snowfalls in Northern Ireland left roads impassable, affected flights at Belfast international airport and forced the closure of many schools. The Roads Service said that conditions were "horrendous" despite their efforts with gritters and snowploughs. People were told to stay at home unless their journeys were absolutely necessary.
On Thursday night a thunderstorm cut electricity supplies to thousands of homes for several hours.
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