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UK snow: Severe weather sweeps across country UK snow: Severe weather sweeps across country
(about 1 hour later)
A blast of freezing weather is sweeping across the UK, bringing disruption as commuters try to get home.A blast of freezing weather is sweeping across the UK, bringing disruption as commuters try to get home.
Large parts of the UK have already been hit by heavy snow, which has now to started to affect southern areas, with warnings over snow and ice during this evening's rush hour. Large parts of the UK have already been hit by heavy snow, which has now to started to affect southern areas, with warnings of snow and ice during this evening's rush hour.
The army is helping evacuate thousands of people from England's east coast, where a tidal surge is expected.The army is helping evacuate thousands of people from England's east coast, where a tidal surge is expected.
Earlier, flights were pre-emptively cancelled at Heathrow and Gatwick.Earlier, flights were pre-emptively cancelled at Heathrow and Gatwick.
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Gatwick Airport said route restrictions had been put in place by air traffic control which might cause delays and cancellations to flights and advised passengers to check before travelling. BBC Weather's John Hammond warned that the temperature "will drop like a stone" after midnight resulting in icy conditions.
Heathrow Airport said its cancellations had been necessary so that flights could be rescheduled if the weather caused delays. Another band of sleet and snow is forecast to hit overnight in Scotland, and then the south east of England during tomorrow morning's rush hour, he said.
Other airports, including Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast International and Belfast City airports are operating as normal. The Environment Agency has issued three severe flood warnings, meaning there is a danger to life, and more than 40 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, along the east coast of England.
The Environment Agency has issued three severe flood warnings, meaning there is a danger to life, and more than 40 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, along the east coast of England. There are also more than 60 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible. There are also more than 60 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible.
More than 3,000 residents on the Lincolnshire coast have been advised to leave with areas of Jaywick, Mistley Manningtree, Colchester, and Mersea in Essex also being evacuated amid flooding fears. The tidal surge is expected overnight on Thursday into Friday down the east coast of England, where it is thought waves could overtop the flood defences and combine with wind-blown spray to cause localised flooding.
Essex County Council said its "main concern" was the tide at 13:00 on Friday. In Lincolnshire, about 100 soldiers are helping to prepare for flooding and more than 3,000 residents on the coast have been advised to leave their homes or move upstairs..
Jaywick, Mistley, Manningtree, Colchester, and Mersea in Essex are also being evacuated amid flooding fears.
Essex County Council said its main concern was the tide at 13:00 on Friday.
Have you been affected by the weather conditions? Share your pictures and video with us at: yourpics@bbc.co.ukHave you been affected by the weather conditions? Share your pictures and video with us at: yourpics@bbc.co.uk
Around the countryAround the country
For the latest on the roads visit the BBC's travel news page and keep up to date with incidents on the motorways here.For the latest on the roads visit the BBC's travel news page and keep up to date with incidents on the motorways here.
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Heavy snow hit parts of Northern Ireland earlier, with Coleraine and Ballymena among the towns worst affected and a snow and ice have caused disruption to travel networks and prompted school closures in parts of Scotland. Heavy snow hit parts of Northern Ireland earlier, with Coleraine and Ballymena among the towns worst affected, and snow and ice have caused disruption to travel networks and prompted school closures in parts of Scotland.
The tidal surge is expected down the east coast of England, where it is thought waves could overtop the flood defences and combine with wind-blown spray to cause localised flooding. Earlier, Gatwick Airport said route restrictions had been put in place by air traffic control which might cause delays and cancellations to flights and advised passengers to check before travelling.
In Lincolnshire, about 100 soldiers are helping to prepare for the surge and the county's Chief Constable, Neil Rhodes, said evacuation plans had been drawn up. Heathrow Airport said its cancellations had been necessary so that flights could be rescheduled if the weather caused delays.
BBC Weather's Thomasz Schafernaker said the snow had so far mainly hit more northern areas of the UK - with snow showers there set to continue. Other airports, including Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast International and Belfast City airports are operating as normal.
But he said rain would eventually start to turn to snow further south, particularly across the Midlands, parts of East Anglia and the South East.
"Then we are going to seeing clearing skies through this evening so some of the slushy weather we will get will start to freeze - so really nasty conditions on the way."
The Local Government Association said councils in England and Wales were well-prepared for the low temperatures and snow.The Local Government Association said councils in England and Wales were well-prepared for the low temperatures and snow.
It said about half of local authorities had full stocks of grit, having stored up 1.2 million tonnes of salt to prepare for winter.It said about half of local authorities had full stocks of grit, having stored up 1.2 million tonnes of salt to prepare for winter.
Have you been affected by the weather conditions? Tell us your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukHave you been affected by the weather conditions? Tell us your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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