'Wrong kind of snow' means Manchester runways can take longer to clear than airports in colder countries like Finland

AS temperatures plummeted across the UK, Manchester Airport faced disruption after it was forced to close its runways for several hours on three consecutive days due to heavy snow.

- LIV CLARKE

Although the closures were temporary, some flights were cancelled and dozens more experienced delays of up to three hours.

But why does a little bit of snow affect Manchester Airport so much, when airports in much colder countries can operate as normal in harsher conditions?

A key factor is that we usually get a different type of snow in the UK, compared to countries that are a lot colder. Described as 'wet snow' it's much more challenging to clear than the 'dry snow' found in chillier countries.

When temperatures are closer to freezing point, snow is more likely to turn into slush and ice, making it more difficult to clear. When temperatures are lower than -2C, the snow is drier and much easier to clear.