British airports close over heavy snow

Five British airports were closed Thursday and some train services were canceled after heavy snow fell in England and Wales.

Photo: British airports close over heavy snow

Officials said the Luton, Stansted, Bristol, Cardiff and Birmingham airports were closed and advised travelers to contact their airlines before leaving home.

The Met Office issued a severe weather warning for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and industry group warned the transport failures could cost the economy hundreds of millions of pounds, the AP reports..

Forecasters predicted up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) of snow could fall over parts of the Midlands, Wales and Northern Ireland. London and southern England were expected to see up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) of snow by midmorning.

Hundreds of people were left waiting at Stansted airport after the runway was closed. A Stansted spokesman said workers were trying to clear the runway, but continued snowfall was making that difficult.

The Midland Mainline train service said it was canceling some Thursday evening trains out of London due to the weather.