YORK was this afternoon bracing itself as forecasters predicted more bad weather heading south from Scotland.

But they stressed England would not be hit as hard as north of the border, though temperatures would drop below freezing tonight.

The threat of further snow followed the gales of yesterday, when York Railway Station was closed after wind ripped off part of the roof. Thousands of travellers where evacuated and services were cancelled.

Train services on the East Coast Main Line were back to normal today, unlike the West Coast Main Line, which was severely disrupted after a tree came down between Carlisle and Lockerbie. The line was reopened this morning, but was down to a single track.

A PA weather spokesman predicted more snow for York later today.

"Expect heavy showers on Saturday, with some falling as snow, then more sleet and snow overnight, with temperatures dropping to between minus 1C and 3C," he said. Milder weather is expected tomorrow afternoon, the spokesman added. Flooding returned to York, though the threat receded after the River Ouse peaked at about 2.8 metres above normal. The peak came at 7am today, with the river overlapping the edges of riverside paths such as Kings Staith. Mike Hartley, manager of the recently-flooded Kings Arms pub, said: "The river is up on the roadside path. No water has got in here."

Environment Agency staff predicted the Ouse would continue dropping throughout the day.

Flood warnings for York and Naburn Lock would eventually be downgraded to Flood Watch, an agency spokesman said.

"They will be downgraded sometime this afternoon, and the Flood Watch is expected to stay in place for the rest of the weekend.

"Showers are forecast, but unless we get some real heavy rain the levels should continue dropping.

"We are mindful there has been some snow and the situation will be constantly monitored," the spokesman added.

A Flood Watch was also expected to stay in place through the weekend for the Rivers Ouse and Derwent, in the Vale of York.

Numerous accidents were reported in the Easingwold and Northallerton areas this morning due to the wintry weather, though police said none was serious. But two RAF helicopters and six ambulances were called to a major pile-up on the A1 at Rainton, in which three lorries, three cars and a van collided. All those involved were injured, three seriously.

The A170 was closed due to snow at Sutton Bank, and the B1249 at Staxton Hill was closed both ways as a precaution.

Updated: 10:16 Saturday, February 23, 2002