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| 'Mini Beast' forecast to bring snow and ice | 'Mini Beast' forecast to bring snow and ice |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Snow and ice are forecast for large parts of the UK this weekend as a cold snap dubbed the "mini beast from the east" arrives. | |
| About 70 flights to or from Heathrow have been cancelled and drivers are advised to prepare before setting out. | About 70 flights to or from Heathrow have been cancelled and drivers are advised to prepare before setting out. |
| Met Office Yellow "be aware" warnings are in place for Saturday and Sunday. | Met Office Yellow "be aware" warnings are in place for Saturday and Sunday. |
| Amber warnings of a possible risk to life affect north west England, Yorkshire, the Midlands, London and south-east England from the afternoon. | Amber warnings of a possible risk to life affect north west England, Yorkshire, the Midlands, London and south-east England from the afternoon. |
| The Met Office says snow showers are expected to become more frequent between 16:00 GMT on Saturday and 09:00 on Sunday. | The Met Office says snow showers are expected to become more frequent between 16:00 GMT on Saturday and 09:00 on Sunday. |
| Amber warnings are also in place for south Wales and south-west England between 00:05 and 18:00 GMT on Sunday. | Amber warnings are also in place for south Wales and south-west England between 00:05 and 18:00 GMT on Sunday. |
| "Travel delays on roads are likely, stranding some vehicles and passengers. Some delays and cancellations to rail and air travel are likely," the Met Office says. | "Travel delays on roads are likely, stranding some vehicles and passengers. Some delays and cancellations to rail and air travel are likely," the Met Office says. |
| On Saturday 1-3cm of snow is expected across large parts of the UK, while 5-10cm could fall in the areas with amber warnings and up to 15cm on hills. | On Saturday 1-3cm of snow is expected across large parts of the UK, while 5-10cm could fall in the areas with amber warnings and up to 15cm on hills. |
| Temperatures are likely to drop to around freezing and gusts of up to 70mph are expected in northern England and parts of Wales. | Temperatures are likely to drop to around freezing and gusts of up to 70mph are expected in northern England and parts of Wales. |
| The low temperatures will continue into the start of the week but are expected to be back around average from Tuesday. | The low temperatures will continue into the start of the week but are expected to be back around average from Tuesday. |
| The affected Heathrow flights are mostly on short-haul routes, although BA services to New York and Chicago have been disrupted. | The affected Heathrow flights are mostly on short-haul routes, although BA services to New York and Chicago have been disrupted. |
| A BA spokesman said: "During cold weather conditions aircraft have to be de-iced prior to departure to ensure that they are safe and additional measures are taken to ensure the safety of our operation is maintained at all times." | A BA spokesman said: "During cold weather conditions aircraft have to be de-iced prior to departure to ensure that they are safe and additional measures are taken to ensure the safety of our operation is maintained at all times." |
| Other cancelled flights from Heathrow include services from Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, TAP Air Portugal and KLM. | Other cancelled flights from Heathrow include services from Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, TAP Air Portugal and KLM. |
| However, the airport said it does not expect significant disruption. | However, the airport said it does not expect significant disruption. |
| Some trans-Pennine roads are expected to be "severely affected" in the early hours of Saturday. | Some trans-Pennine roads are expected to be "severely affected" in the early hours of Saturday. |
| Highways England's Head of Road Safety, Richard Leonard, said: "Our gritter drivers will be out treating our roads around the clock but it is still important to drive to the conditions when snow is forecast. | Highways England's Head of Road Safety, Richard Leonard, said: "Our gritter drivers will be out treating our roads around the clock but it is still important to drive to the conditions when snow is forecast. |
| "Drivers should plan their journeys, monitor weather reports and pack a snow kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel if they really need to travel." | "Drivers should plan their journeys, monitor weather reports and pack a snow kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel if they really need to travel." |
| Network Rail is running empty trains to help keep the network clear of snow. | Network Rail is running empty trains to help keep the network clear of snow. |
| A cold spell nicknamed "the Beast from the East" saw much of the UK and Europe blanketed in snow at the start the month. | A cold spell nicknamed "the Beast from the East" saw much of the UK and Europe blanketed in snow at the start the month. |