Heavy snow has caught many by surprise in the north of England. <br /><br /> Manchester airport was closed, affecting dozens of incoming and outgoing flights.<br /><br /> Rail services were also hit, notably those between Manchester and Yorkshire.<br /><br /> Thousands of passengers found themselves stranded. <br /><br /> Students were also kept away from school and mobile phone signals were disrupted.<br /><br /> Authorities say more than 200 schools were closed.<br /><br /> Weather forecasters put much of the north on orange alert, warning of the impact of the cold on children and the elderly. <br /><br /> Main roads have also been cut off. <br /><br /> Updated severe weather warnings for #UKsnow with latest warnings for the weekend http://t.co/HDldJLsujd #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/jRMZlH7iuT— Met Office (@metoffice) January 28, 2015<br /> <br /><br /> Weather Watch updated for snow/ice for Midlands and SE / S England http://t.co/liNBM6skdf #UKSnow pic.twitter.com/7ZXczGDg6x— Metcheck.com (@MetcheckUK) January 29, 2015<br /> <br /><br /> Public Health England warning over cold weat
