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UK weather - live updates: Four die in car crashes as snow and freezing temperatures cause travel disruption
UK weather - as it happened: Four die in car crashes as snow and freezing temperatures cause travel disruption
(about 7 hours later)
Four people have been killed in car crashes as heavy snow has forced hundreds of schools to close and brought major travel disruption to the UK.
Four people have been killed in car crashes as heavy snow forced hundreds of schools to close and brought major travel disruption to the UK.
Scores of trains and flights have been cancelled, while some roads were shut after a blanketing of snow, with police forces reporting treacherous driving conditions and blocked routes.
Scores of trains and flights were cancelled, while 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 were in place across the North East, the Midlands, the East of England and the South East, the Met Office said.
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.
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Follow our live updates as snow falls across the country.
The icy blast overnight caused misery for morning commuters.
The icy blast overnight has caused misery for morning commuters.
Train passengers faced cancellations and disruptions on lines across the country.
Train passengers faced 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, 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 dozens flights from Heathrow Airport, while easyJet warned disruption to its flights was expected.
British Airways cancelled dozens flights from Heathrow Airport, while easyJet also warned passengers of disruption to its flights.
Many schools across the country were closed, including more than 200 in Wales, 131 in Kent and 62 in East Sussex.
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.
From Thursday, forecasters predict another weather system, Storm Emma, will bring blizzards, gales and sleet as it meets the "Beast from the East" later this week.
The storm, named by the Portuguese Met Service, will move north through Europe and is due to hit the UK on Thursday and Friday, and will be "significantly disruptive", bringing the risk of power cuts and transport delays.
