Heavy rainfall and strong winds led to flooding that caused closures on a major motorway yesterday evening. Traffic congestion extended for miles as adverse weather conditions affected the area.
The closure of the M62 near Huddersfield was a result of heavy rain, prompting lane closures and significant traffic buildup in the westbound direction shortly after a yellow weather warning was issued by the Met Office.
The Met Office issued a specific alert for the M62, cautioning about potential local damage due to the combination of strong winds and heavy rain.
Coverage on our live blog has concluded for now.
Recent updates indicate that traffic congestion on the M62 is easing, as reported by the AA maps, which no longer show the motorway section highlighted in amber due to traffic congestion.
New maps show there are no longer significant delays on the m62
The M62 was not the only road affected by severe weather conditions, with reports of flooding across England according to Traffic England.
Traffic England highlighted severe conditions on various roads including the M56, M6, M61, and A50, indicating widespread issues across the country.
Drivers using the motorway were advised to take precautions as the Met Office warned of challenging weather conditions impacting road safety.
The Met Office’s yellow warning for the Midlands and northern England, encompassing the affected M62 area, urged people to stay informed about changing conditions and adjust travel plans accordingly.
The agency emphasized the importance of staying updated with road conditions and public transport schedules to minimize travel disruptions during adverse weather conditions.
Traffic England classified the incident as “severe” and noted that flooding had impacted junctions J24 and J22.
Reports from the AA’s traffic monitoring site showed an increasing backup on the affected motorway section due to reported flooding.
Maps show the stretch of motorway that has been shut this evening
In addition to general alerts, the Met Office specifically highlighted the M62 as prone to severe weather impacts during the evening.
The M62 closure was in line with earlier warnings from the Met Office about heavy rain affecting various regions, particularly in the Midlands and northern England.</p