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UK weather: Warning upgraded to red as heavy snow hits UK UK weather: Warning upgraded to red as heavy snow hits UK
(about 3 hours 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. Scotland's first ever red snow warning has come into force as severe weather causes major disruption across swathes of the UK for a second day.
The alert covers the central belt, from Edinburgh to Glasgow, from 15:00 GMT, meaning the risk to life is likely. The Met Office alert means a risk to life is likely and urges people to "take action now" to keep safe.
It is the first red snow alert the Met Office has issued for Scotland. Amber warnings are also in place for other parts of Scotland, northern and eastern England and the East Midlands.
Amber warnings are also in place elsewhere in Scotland, northern and eastern England, and the East Midlands, with road, rail and air travel hit. Thousands of schools have been closed, and there is major disruption on roads, the rail network and at airports.
A number of police forces have warned against driving because of poor visibility and treacherous conditions, leading to crashes and stranded motorists. The red alert covers Scotland's central belt - from Edinburgh to Glasgow - from 15:00 GMT until 10:00 on Thursday.
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 also been cancelled and rail operators have warned disruption will continue throughout Wednesday.
Rural communities could 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.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.""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". It comes as numerous police forces across the UK urged people not to drive. Large sections of major routes were closed with motorists stranded in treacherous conditions.
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. The worst affected areas have been Kent, East Anglia and north-east England, but problems are continuing.
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. Meanwhile airports including London City, Glasgow and Newcastle suspended flights, and more than 100 flights at Heathrow were cancelled.
On the rail network, almost all operators have been affected by the conditions. The West Coast Main Line is closed between Carlisle and Scotland with no trains or replacement buses.
More than 2,624 schools in England and 1,600 in Scotland have been closed, with the expectation that many will remain shut tomorrow.
Rural communities have also been warned they could be cut off by power outages and mobile phone signal failures.
In other travel developments:
What is a red weather warning?What is a red weather warning?
The Met Office issues a red warning when it is forecasting extreme weather which is likely to pose a risk to life and cause widespread disruption, travel troubles and damage.The Met Office issues a red warning when it is forecasting extreme weather which is likely to pose a risk to life and cause widespread disruption, travel troubles and damage.
It is the strongest warning that can be issued and, according to BBC meteorologist Matt Taylor, is "exceptionally rare" and means people should take action immediately.It is the strongest warning that can be issued and, according to BBC meteorologist Matt Taylor, is "exceptionally rare" and means people should take action immediately.
The red snow alert is only the second ever issued by the Met Office - with the first covering Wales in 2013.The red snow alert is only the second ever issued by the Met Office - with the first covering Wales in 2013.
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.
The Army has been drafted into Lincolnshire to help emergency services, who have stepped up their official response to "critical", with police called to 68 road incidents since 07:00.
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:
Other incidents include:Other incidents include:
The Met Office has predicted up to 10cm (4in) of snow for parts of Scotland and the north of England by Thursday evening - although it could be as much as 40cm (15in) over hills.The Met Office has predicted up to 10cm (4in) of snow for parts of Scotland and the north of England by Thursday evening - although it could be as much as 40cm (15in) over hills.
The East Midlands, the east and Yorkshire and Humber are also expected to see up to 15cm (6 inches) of snow by Wednesday afternoon. The East Midlands, the east and Yorkshire and Humber are also expected to see up to 15cm (6in) of snow by Wednesday afternoon.
Up to 20cm of snow will fall across the south of England, Wales and the West Midlands on Thursday and Friday - reaching 50cm over parts of Dartmoor and Exmoor. Up to 20cm of snow (8in) will fall across the south of England, Wales and the West Midlands on Thursday and Friday - reaching 50cm (20in) over parts of Dartmoor and Exmoor.
Freezing temperatures
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.
Other particularly cold spots were Cairnwell, in Scotland, Ravensworth, in North Yorkshire, and Frittenden in Kent.
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.
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.
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