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| UK weather: Warning upgraded to red as heavy snow hits UK | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Met Office has issued a red warning for extreme weather in Scotland, as a second day of heavy snow causes major disruption across swathes of the UK. | |
| The central belt, from Edinburgh to Glasgow, is covered by the alert from 15:00 GMT, meaning the risk to life is likely, heavy snow is forecast and services will be cancelled. | |
| Amber warnings are also in place elsewhere in Scotland, northern and eastern England, and the East Midlands. | |
| Police advise staying off the roads. | |
| A number of forces have warned of poor visibility and treacherous conditions, leading to crashes and stranded motorists. | |
| The snow has forced the closure of hundreds of schools from Cornwall to northern Scotland, after overnight temperatures dropped to almost -12C (11F) in some areas. | |
| A number of flights have been cancelled and rail operators have warned disruption will continue throughout Wednesday. | A number of flights have been cancelled and rail operators have warned disruption will continue throughout Wednesday. |
| Rural communities could also be cut off as power cuts and mobile phone network interruptions are expected. | Rural communities could also be cut off as power cuts and mobile phone network interruptions are expected. |
| The red weather warning means that extreme conditions are expected and immediate action should be taken. | |
| The forecast from the Met Office, which lasts until 10:00 on Thursday, said: "Roads will become blocked by deep snow, with many stranded vehicles and passengers. | |
| "Long delays and cancellations on bus, rail and air travel are expected [and] some communities could become cut off for several days." | |
| It also warned of "long interruptions to power supplies and other services". | |
| As many as 400 schools in Scotland have shut their doors, with hundreds more closing in England - including in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Essex and Yorkshire - and some 25 closures in Wales. | As many as 400 schools in Scotland have shut their doors, with hundreds more closing in England - including in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Essex and Yorkshire - and some 25 closures in Wales. |
| Airports including London City, Glasgow and Newcastle have suspended flights as they work to clear snow from their runways. More than 100 flights at Heathrow have been cancelled. | Airports including London City, Glasgow and Newcastle have suspended flights as they work to clear snow from their runways. More than 100 flights at Heathrow have been cancelled. |
| National Rail is also warning that services could face major disruption, with the Stansted Express already cancelled between Liverpool Street and Bishop's Stortford, and Virgin Trains' route between Carlisle and Scotland closed with no replacement bus services. | National Rail is also warning that services could face major disruption, with the Stansted Express already cancelled between Liverpool Street and Bishop's Stortford, and Virgin Trains' route between Carlisle and Scotland closed with no replacement bus services. |
| Hospitals in Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Goole have cancelled all outpatient appointments because of the weather, while Harrogate Hospital has asked staff who can walk to work to go in to cover shifts. | Hospitals in Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Goole have cancelled all outpatient appointments because of the weather, while Harrogate Hospital has asked staff who can walk to work to go in to cover shifts. |
| In other travel developments: | In other travel developments: |
| Other disruption includes: | Other disruption includes: |
| The Met Office has issued an amber warning - meaning widespread damage, travel and power disruption is likely - for parts of Scotland and the north of England. | The Met Office has issued an amber warning - meaning widespread damage, travel and power disruption is likely - for parts of Scotland and the north of England. |
| It has predicted up to 10cm (4in) of snow between 10:15 GMT on Wednesday and 18:00 on Thursday - although it could be as much as 40cm (15in) over hills. | It has predicted up to 10cm (4in) of snow between 10:15 GMT on Wednesday and 18:00 on Thursday - although it could be as much as 40cm (15in) over hills. |
| The East Midlands, the east and Yorkshire and Humber are also subject to an amber warning, with up to 15cm (6 inches) of snow predicted to fall between 10:40 and 16:00 on Wednesday. | The East Midlands, the east and Yorkshire and Humber are also subject to an amber warning, with up to 15cm (6 inches) of snow predicted to fall between 10:40 and 16:00 on Wednesday. |
| Another amber warning is in place across the south of England, Wales and the West Midlands between 12:00 on Thursday and 08:00 Friday, predicting up to 20cm of snow - reaching 50cm over parts of Dartmoor and Exmoor. | Another amber warning is in place across the south of England, Wales and the West Midlands between 12:00 on Thursday and 08:00 Friday, predicting up to 20cm of snow - reaching 50cm over parts of Dartmoor and Exmoor. |
| A less severe yellow warning for snow is in place for parts of Scotland, northern England, Northern Ireland, the south-west and south-east England, the West Midlands, East Midlands and London until 23:55 GMT. | A less severe yellow warning for snow is in place for parts of Scotland, northern England, Northern Ireland, the south-west and south-east England, the West Midlands, East Midlands and London until 23:55 GMT. |
| Freezing temperatures | Freezing temperatures |
| The UK is experiencing what is predicted to be the coldest week of the winter in five years. | The UK is experiencing what is predicted to be the coldest week of the winter in five years. |
| The lowest temperature recorded overnight was -11.7C in South Farnborough, Hampshire. | The lowest temperature recorded overnight was -11.7C in South Farnborough, Hampshire. |
| Other particularly cold spots were Cairnwell, in Scotland, Ravensworth, in North Yorkshire, and Frittenden in Kent. | Other particularly cold spots were Cairnwell, in Scotland, Ravensworth, in North Yorkshire, and Frittenden in Kent. |
| Treacherous conditions | Treacherous conditions |
| On Tuesday three people died following a crash in Lincolnshire while one man died in a crash in Cambridgeshire, amid warnings of treacherous conditions on roads. | On Tuesday three people died following a crash in Lincolnshire while one man died in a crash in Cambridgeshire, amid warnings of treacherous conditions on roads. |
| In the early hours of Wednesday, a crash between a car and motorcycle on the M3 in Surrey left one person seriously injured. | In the early hours of Wednesday, a crash between a car and motorcycle on the M3 in Surrey left one person seriously injured. |
| About 400 vehicles were trapped on the A1(M) overnight after six lorries jack-knifed along a 20-mile (32km) stretch between Peterborough and Stamford in Lincolnshire. | |
| From Thursday, the Siberian system is set to meet with Storm Emma, with forecasters predicting more snow, gales and sleet. | From Thursday, the Siberian system is set to meet with Storm Emma, with forecasters predicting more snow, gales and sleet. |
| 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. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |