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UK weather: Heavy snow causes UK-wide disruption UK weather: Heavy snow causes UK-wide disruption
(35 minutes later)
Heavy snowfall has hit parts of the UK, causing road and rail disruption. Heavy snowfall is hitting parts of the UK, causing road and rail disruption.
Amber weather warnings of more snow and very low temperatures are in place for Tuesday, and police say driving conditions are "treacherous" in places. Police say driving conditions are "treacherous" in places as a band of wintry weather and very low temperatures sweeps westwards.
The M20 in Kent was blocked by stranded lorries, hundreds of trains are cancelled and many schools are closed. Hundreds of trains are cancelled, many schools are closed and forecasters say some rural communities may be cut off.
Kent, Surrey, Suffolk and Sussex are among the worst-hit counties, seeing 5-10cm of snow, while north-east England has received up to 8cm (3in).Kent, Surrey, Suffolk and Sussex are among the worst-hit counties, seeing 5-10cm of snow, while north-east England has received up to 8cm (3in).
Temperatures dropped well below freezing overnight, with Northern Ireland, south west England and East Anglia logging figures as low as -6C. Amber Met Office weather warnings are in place in those areas, meaning there is a possible risk to life and property.
Altnaharra in the Highlands recorded -8.5C. A less severe yellow warning applies to a much wider area, covering much of Scotland, England and Wales.
The UK is experiencing what's expected to be the coldest week of the winter, with snow sweeping westwards during Tuesday, increasingly moving into Scotland and the Midlands later in the day. The UK is experiencing what's expected to be the coldest week of the winter, with snow moving west during Tuesday, increasingly spreading into Scotland and the Midlands later in the day.
By Wednesday night, more than 20cm could have accumulated in some parts of eastern England and Northern Ireland. Temperatures dropped well below freezing overnight, with Northern Ireland, south west England and East Anglia logging figures as low as -6C. Altnaharra in the Highlands recorded -8.5C.
By Wednesday night, more than 20cm of snow could have accumulated in some parts of Scotland, eastern England and Northern Ireland.
BBC Weather meteorologist Gemma Plumb said: "On Wednesday and Thursday it is going to feel bitterly cold with a lot of areas seeing maximum temperatures below freezing.BBC Weather meteorologist Gemma Plumb said: "On Wednesday and Thursday it is going to feel bitterly cold with a lot of areas seeing maximum temperatures below freezing.
"It will feel more like -10C or -14C in some parts and there will be heavy snow showers in the East, particularly in north-east England.""It will feel more like -10C or -14C in some parts and there will be heavy snow showers in the East, particularly in north-east England."
The wintry conditions are causing travel disruption, with problems likely to spread as the snow continues.
Overnight, rail operators ran empty trains to keep tracks clear of snow, but hundreds of services have been cancelled.Overnight, rail operators ran empty trains to keep tracks clear of snow, but hundreds of services have been cancelled.
Motorists are being urged to take extra care and in worst affected areas, to only travel if really necessary. Greater Anglia's Juliette Maxam said staff were working really hard to keep trains running in the face of "extreme weather".
Lincolnshire Police police said it was dealing with five collisions by 06:30 GMT, and roads were "particularly hazardous". "We've got people with de-icers, de-icing the doors, and we've got special socks fitted to stop ice from getting in the horn, because... if the horns aren't working they can't go as fast," she added.
Motorists, meanwhile, are being urged to take extra care and in the worst affected areas, only travel if really necessary.
Lincolnshire Police police said officers were dealing with five collisions by 06:30 GMT, and roads were "particularly hazardous".
North Yorkshire Police have described road conditions in some areas as "treacherous", with areas around Harrogate and Craven particularly affected.North Yorkshire Police have described road conditions in some areas as "treacherous", with areas around Harrogate and Craven particularly affected.
The A19 in North Yorkshire was closed after a crash, and some lanes on motorways are blocked due to the snow.The A19 in North Yorkshire was closed after a crash, and some lanes on motorways are blocked due to the snow.
In north-east England, the A1231, near Sunderland, was blocked by an overturned lorry. The RAC's Pete Williams advised drivers to check fuel levels, oil, tyre tread and pressure, coolant, lights and screen wash before setting out.
Merseyside Police says it has received reports of a crash on the M62 before junction 5. Dozens of schools across the UK are shut due to the adverse weather conditions, particularly in north-east England, Yorkshire, and the South East.
Dozens of schools across the UK are closed due to the adverse weather conditions, particularly in north-east England, Yorkshire, and the South East. Closures have also been announced in north-west England and northern and eastern Scotland, and in north Wales nearly 180 schools are shut.
Closures have also been announced in Lancashire, Anglesey and northern and eastern Scotland. On Monday, British Airways cancelled more than 60 short-haul flights to and from London's Heathrow airport ahead of the bad weather, but so far no other airports are reporting any problems.
On Monday, British Airways cancelled more than 60 short flights to and from London's Heathrow airport ahead of the bad weather.
Emergency shelters have been opened across the country as councils offer extra accommodation to the homeless during the freezing conditions.Emergency shelters have been opened across the country as councils offer extra accommodation to the homeless during the freezing conditions.
The offer of a hot shower, clean clothes, food and a bed can help save lives, homeless charity St Mungo's said.The offer of a hot shower, clean clothes, food and a bed can help save lives, homeless charity St Mungo's said.
How has the cold weather affected you? Share your pictures, video and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.How has the cold weather affected you? Share your pictures, video and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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