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Storm Emma: Red warning in Wales and south-west England Storm Emma: Red warning in Wales and south-west England
(35 minutes later)
Red weather alerts - meaning there is a risk to life - have been issued in south-west England and South Wales, as Storm Emma approaches. Red weather alerts - meaning there is a risk to life - have been issued in south-west England and south Wales, as Storm Emma approaches.
It will meet the "Beast from the East" weather front, which is causing major disruption in northern parts of the UK.It will meet the "Beast from the East" weather front, which is causing major disruption in northern parts of the UK.
More than 300 people are still stranded on a motorway in Scotland in freezing temperatures after spending up to 18 hours in their cars.More than 300 people are still stranded on a motorway in Scotland in freezing temperatures after spending up to 18 hours in their cars.
National Grid says there may not be enough gas to meet demand on Thursday.National Grid says there may not be enough gas to meet demand on Thursday.
Hundreds of schools are closed in south Wales, southern England and Scotland.Hundreds of schools are closed in south Wales, southern England and Scotland.
Storm Emma is expected to bring blizzards, biting winds and significant travel disruption to southern, western and central England, parts of Wales and Northern Ireland.Storm Emma is expected to bring blizzards, biting winds and significant travel disruption to southern, western and central England, parts of Wales and Northern Ireland.
This is the third day of disruption caused by heavy snowfall.This is the third day of disruption caused by heavy snowfall.
On Wednesday, the RAF in Lincolnshire used 10 off-road vehicles to help transport health staff to hospitals and vulnerable people.
How have the roads been affected?How have the roads been affected?
An amber warning for Scotland and northern England will last until 18:00. What is happening with the trains?
There are concerns that the UK might not have enough gas to meet demand for heating on Thursday. Across the UK, more than 20 rail operators are running a reduced service. In London, Paddington Station was closed for nearly three hours due to severe weather conditions, and in Kent 50 stations will be closed.
National Grid said demand on Wednesday hit a six-year high, coupled with "significant supply losses".
Suppliers have been asked to provide more gas and - if that does not work - industry and large businesses will be asked to use less gas.
Glasgow Airport has said there will be no incoming or outbound flights until 15:00. More than 200 passengers spent the night in the terminal. The Red Cross brought cots, blankets and supplies for the stranded travellers.
Edinburgh Airport announced that it would be shut until at least 10:00 because it did not have enough staff "to run operations securely".
East Midlands Airport has also suspended flights in order to clear snow and ice from the runway.
In Lincolnshire, snow ploughs have been unable to reach nine vehicles stranded on the A52, which police say has become impassable.
BBC Radio Lincolnshire reported that farmers used their tractors to help some stranded on other sections of the road, who were taken to a relief centre overnight at Skegness Fire Station.
A further amber warning for snow and ice will be in place for London and the south east, south-west England, Wales and the West Midlands from midday until 08:00 on Friday.
The Met Office said there were signs the cold easterly flow could last into next week and possibly into the following week.
Across the UK, more than 20 rail operators are running a reduced service. In London, Paddington Station was closed at 08:00 due to severe weather conditions.
National Rail is reporting mass disruption in the South East, Scotland, the North West and the South West.National Rail is reporting mass disruption in the South East, Scotland, the North West and the South West.
Parts of England and Wales may see widespread snow associated with Storm Emma, said Andy Page of the Met Office, How are the airports affected?
There could also be freezing rain for a time on Thursday night - "a relatively rare weather phenomenon in the UK," he said. Airports across Britain are being affected by the cold weather, and the knock-on effect of other terminals across the UK and Europe cancelling flights.
Are we running out of gas?
National Grid said it may not have enough gas to meet the UK's demand on Thursday, and asked suppliers to provide more.
Use of gas across Britain hit a six-year high on Wednesday, coupled with "significant supply losses". Some pipelines carrying gas from the Netherlands and Belgium have had problems this week.
If suppliers cannot provide more gas, industry, large businesses and gas-fired power stations will be asked to use less gas.
Consumers will only be asked to use less gas as a last resort if these measures do not work.
What is the forecast?
The Met Office said there were signs the cold easterly flow could last into next week and possibly into the following week.
BBC Weather's Ben Rich predicted "blizzard conditions" by Thursday evening across the south west of England, Wales and parts of the Midlands.BBC Weather's Ben Rich predicted "blizzard conditions" by Thursday evening across the south west of England, Wales and parts of the Midlands.
He said a "biting easterly wind" will make it feel like -11C (12F) in Birmingham and Cardiff - on what is the first day of meteorological spring.He said a "biting easterly wind" will make it feel like -11C (12F) in Birmingham and Cardiff - on what is the first day of meteorological spring.
The Met Office said some areas of Scotland could see up to 30cm (11.8 inches) of snowfall and possibly up to 40cm (15.7 inches) in "a few places" by mid-morning.
There is potential for up to 50cm (19.6 inches) over parts of Dartmoor and Exmoor, the Met Office added, with up to 20cm (7.8 inches) falling in southern England, Wales and the West Midlands.There is potential for up to 50cm (19.6 inches) over parts of Dartmoor and Exmoor, the Met Office added, with up to 20cm (7.8 inches) falling in southern England, Wales and the West Midlands.
Rail passengers have been warned to avoid travelling to or from Scotland on Thursday while in Kent 50 stations will be closed.
Almost all train operators are expected to be affected by conditions.
Several are planning to run amended timetables, with passengers being urged to check before they travel.
Hundreds of schools will be closed across the UK. Schools in some areas of Wales will not reopen until Monday.
On Wednesday, the worst hit areas were central Scotland, Kent, East Anglia and the North East of England.
In London, a man died after being pulled from a frozen lake.
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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