Manchester Airport has suspended all flights in and out of the airport due to snow, as severe weather warnings are issued for much of the UK and the north is hit by "thundersnow" storms.

The Met Office has said that "thundersnow" storms, which are thunderstorms with snow rather than rain, are occurring to the north of Manchester, while amber weather warning has been issued for the north of England warning of severe cold weather, icy conditions and heavy snow until Tuesday.

Rail services between Manchester and York have been cancelled due to the severe weather, while the Highways Agency has warned drivers of the heavy snow and the main roads in Durham and Yorkshire have been closed.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "I have asked for an update on our heavy snow contingency plans. The gritters are out and people should listen to warnings."

A total of 34 schools have been been closed in Cumbria, where 13cm of snow fell overnight, and 20 schools in Oldham, Greater Manchester, were among the dozens more closed across the north of England, while more than 130 schools have been closed in Northern Ireland.

Sheffield City Council said around 16cm of snow fell last night with more this morning and teams have been gritting roads since 6pm on Wednesday to keep networks running.

Councilor Janye Dunne, the council's cabinet member for environment, recycling and streetscene said 1500 tonnes of salt has been put on the network so far, the weight equivalent of 188 double decker buses.