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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 is hitting parts of the UK, causing road and rail disruption.Heavy snowfall is hitting parts of the UK, causing road and rail disruption.
Police say driving conditions are "treacherous" in places as a band of wintry weather and very low temperatures sweeps westwards.Police say driving conditions are "treacherous" in places as a band of wintry weather and very low temperatures sweeps westwards.
Hundreds of trains are cancelled, many schools are shut and forecasters say some rural communities may be cut off.Hundreds of trains are cancelled, many schools are shut and forecasters say some rural communities may be cut off.
Kent, Surrey, Suffolk and Sussex are among the worst-hit counties, seeing up to 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 up to 10cm of snow, while north-east England has received up to 8cm (3in).
Amber Met Office weather warnings are in place in those areas, meaning there is a possible risk to life and property.Amber Met Office weather warnings are in place in those areas, meaning there is a possible risk to life and property.
A less severe yellow warning applies to a much wider area, covering much of Scotland, England and Wales.A less severe yellow warning applies to a much wider area, covering much of Scotland, England and Wales.
In Lincolnshire, police helped 45 schoolchildren from their bus after it collided with a car and left the road. None of the pupils were injured, but the force said conditions were "particularly hazardous".In Lincolnshire, police helped 45 schoolchildren from their bus after it collided with a car and left the road. None of the pupils were injured, but the force said conditions were "particularly hazardous".
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.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.
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.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. Further bad weather is also forecast into Thursday.By Wednesday night, more than 20cm of snow could have accumulated in some parts of Scotland, eastern England and Northern Ireland. Further bad weather is also forecast into Thursday.
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 Britain.""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 Britain."
Overnight, rail operators ran empty trains to keep tracks clear of snow, but hundreds of services have been cancelled. Among the disruption on Tuesday:
Greater Anglia's Juliette Maxam said staff were working really hard to keep trains running in the face of "extreme weather". Some passengers have complained at the disruption to their journeys, but Greater Anglia's Juliette Maxam said all railway staff were working really hard to keep trains running in the face of "extreme weather".
"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."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.Motorists, meanwhile, are being urged to take extra care and in the worst affected areas, only travel if really necessary.
There are long delays on the M20 in Kent due to the weather, while in North Yorkshire, police have described conditions in some areas as "treacherous".
The A19 in North Yorkshire was closed after a crash, and some lanes on motorways are blocked due to the snow.
Lincolnshire Police said officers had been called out to 20 collisions since 05:45 GMT.
The RAC's Pete Williams advised drivers to check fuel levels, oil, tyre tread and pressure, coolant, lights and screen wash before setting out.The RAC's Pete Williams advised drivers to check fuel levels, oil, tyre tread and pressure, coolant, lights and screen wash before setting out.
Hundreds of schools across the UK are shut due to the adverse weather conditions, particularly in north-east England, Yorkshire, and the South East.Hundreds of schools across the UK are shut 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 more than 230 are shut.Closures have also been announced in north-west England and northern and eastern Scotland, and in north Wales more than 230 are shut.
At least 238 schools and nurseries have shut in Kent, as well as others in Sussex and Surrey.At least 238 schools and nurseries have shut in Kent, as well as others in Sussex and Surrey.
On Tuesday Chester Zoo was also closed due to heavy snow.
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.
Liverpool John Lennon airport closed its runway on Tuesday morning due to snow, but it is still advising passengers to arrive for their flights.
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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