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UK weather - live updates: Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures cause travel disruption as 'Beast from the East' hits Britain UK weather - live updates: Three dead in crash as snow and freezing temperatures cause travel disruption
(about 2 hours later)
Heavy snowfall overnight and freezing temperatures have caused major travel disruption, leading to road closures, as well as flights and trains being cancelled.  Heavy snow has forced hundreds of schools to close and caused major travel disruption with scores of trains and flights being cancelled.
Some roads were shut after a blanketing of snow, with police forces reporting treacherous driving conditions and blocked routes.
Amber and yellow snow and ice warnings are in place across the North East, the Midlands, the East of England and the South East, the Met Office said, with delays, closures and stranded vehicles expected.Amber and yellow snow and ice warnings are in place across the North East, the Midlands, the East of England and the South East, the Met Office said, with delays, closures and stranded vehicles expected.
Rural communities could be cut off completely, with power cuts and disruption to mobile phone signals possible throughout Tuesday, it added.
It said the wintry blast, dubbed the "Beast from the East," will cause temperatures to tumble, with the country potentially facing the coldest weather since 1991.It said the wintry blast, dubbed the "Beast from the East," will cause temperatures to tumble, with the country potentially facing the coldest weather since 1991.
Follow our live updates as snow falls across the country.Follow our live updates as snow falls across the country.
Roads across the UK have already seen a blanketing of snow, with police forces reporting treacherous driving conditions and blocked routes. The icy blast overnight has caused misery for morning commuters.
Highways England said the M20 in Kent had become blocked by a "number" of stranded lorries overnight, while the A249 was shut due to a crash. Train passengers faced cancellations and disruptions on lines across the country.
Heavy showers were expected to continue throughout the morning and cripple much of the country's travel network.
Trains have also been affected by the snowfall, with cancellations and disruptions on lines across the country.
Southeastern, which operates in Kent, has cancelled dozens of trains, including several to London St Pancras, London Victoria and Cannon Street, while other companies affected include Southern, Greater Anglia and Great Northern.Southeastern, which operates in Kent, has cancelled dozens of trains, including several to London St Pancras, London Victoria and Cannon Street, while other companies affected include Southern, Greater Anglia and Great Northern.
British Airways has cancelled several flights from Heathrow Airport, while easyJet warned disruption to its flights was expected. British Airways has cancelled dozens flights from Heathrow Airport, while easyJet warned disruption to its flights was expected.
School closures were also likely. Many schools across the country were closed, including more than 200 in Wales, 131 in Kent and 62 in East Sussex.
Amber warnings for snow are in place for the South East and North East of England and the East Midlands until midday, while a yellow warning covering much of the country is in force until midnight.
Forecasters are predicting 5cm-10cm of snow will fall for most areas of the UK, with up to 40cm possible for higher grounds in Scotland