LONDON — London saw its first snowfall of the year on Saturday as heavy snow and freezing conditions swept across the UK, prompting weather warnings for snow and ice over the weekend.

The snow began late Saturday, with Northern England, the Midlands, and Wales among the worst-hit areas. BBC Weather forecasted 20 to 40 centimeters (8 to 16 inches) of snow in some regions.

The Met Office issued an amber weather warning and cautioned of potential power cuts and significant travel disruptions.

Bristol Airport faced delays and flight diversions late Saturday due to the severe weather.

Although it reopened around 11 p.m. local time, the airport warned of continued "challenging weather conditions" and advised passengers to check with airlines for updates.

Birmingham Airport remained closed early Sunday for snow clearing, announcing it would be shut for at least two hours for safety reasons.

Road travel was also impacted, with the National Highways reporting multiple collisions on the M5 motorway, which connects the Midlands to the South West.

Tragically, a seven-month-old baby died in a crash on Metheringham Heath Lane in Lincolnshire on Friday, with icy conditions believed to be a contributing factor, according to police.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued cold-health alerts for all of England ahead of a week of expected low temperatures. Additional snowfall is predicted on Sunday for parts of northern England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

Warnings for snow and freezing rain remain in effect across much of Wales and central England, including the Midlands and cities such as Liverpool and Manchester, until noon Sunday. A separate snow warning covers northern England, including Leeds, Sheffield, and the Lake District, until midnight. — Agencies