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Warnings issued amid Arctic chill Warnings issued amid Arctic chill
(10 minutes later)
Severe weather warnings have been issued in some parts of the UK as temperatures dipped as low as -11C (12.2F) overnight.Severe weather warnings have been issued in some parts of the UK as temperatures dipped as low as -11C (12.2F) overnight.
The Met Office issued alerts for the morning in parts of south-east England and northern Scotland.The Met Office issued alerts for the morning in parts of south-east England and northern Scotland.
Arctic weather is expected to continue, with lows of -10C forecast for southern England and Wales into Wednesday.Arctic weather is expected to continue, with lows of -10C forecast for southern England and Wales into Wednesday.
The RAC is urging drivers to take care, with blackspots in the West Midlands, northern and south-eastern England.The RAC is urging drivers to take care, with blackspots in the West Midlands, northern and south-eastern England.
On Monday, freezing conditions affected flights at Luton and Birmingham airports and closed some schools in Gloucestershire and Kent.On Monday, freezing conditions affected flights at Luton and Birmingham airports and closed some schools in Gloucestershire and Kent.
The mercury dropped to -11C in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, and in Shap, Cumbria, overnight.The mercury dropped to -11C in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, and in Shap, Cumbria, overnight.
There were school closures in several areas on Tuesday, including 20 schools across Wales.There were school closures in several areas on Tuesday, including 20 schools across Wales.
Forecasters say temperatures in Scotland will rise throughout the day as cloud and rain spreads southwards.Forecasters say temperatures in Scotland will rise throughout the day as cloud and rain spreads southwards.
However, sub-zero temperatures will remain in the Manchester and Hull areas and southern England and Wales face another freezing night.However, sub-zero temperatures will remain in the Manchester and Hull areas and southern England and Wales face another freezing night.
Roads grittedRoads gritted
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings of widespread icy roads in East Sussex, Kent and Medway, and freezing rain across the north of Scotland.The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings of widespread icy roads in East Sussex, Kent and Medway, and freezing rain across the north of Scotland.
Gritters were out spreading thousands of tonnes of salt on roads across the UK throughout the night.Gritters were out spreading thousands of tonnes of salt on roads across the UK throughout the night.
Water firm Severn Trent has asked its eight million customers across the Midlands and Wales to protect their water systems, after it was reported pipes were freezing even while heating was on.Water firm Severn Trent has asked its eight million customers across the Midlands and Wales to protect their water systems, after it was reported pipes were freezing even while heating was on.
Flights were suspended for 90 minutes at Birmingham International Airport early on Monday and snow meant the runway had to be closed at Luton Airport for a similar length of time, leading to flight diversions.Flights were suspended for 90 minutes at Birmingham International Airport early on Monday and snow meant the runway had to be closed at Luton Airport for a similar length of time, leading to flight diversions.
The start of the new term was delayed for some pupils in Gloucestershire where 15 schools were closed, and at least 11 schools in Kent were shut.Freezing conditions are set to continue into WednesdayThe start of the new term was delayed for some pupils in Gloucestershire where 15 schools were closed, and at least 11 schools in Kent were shut.Freezing conditions are set to continue into Wednesday
In Wales, a number of roads and schools were affected and the drop in temperatures saw a rise in the number of people treated in hospitals for falls on ice.In Wales, a number of roads and schools were affected and the drop in temperatures saw a rise in the number of people treated in hospitals for falls on ice.
Meanwhile, near Spalding, in Lincolnshire, a 30-year-old woman was killed when her car ended up in the path of a train at a level crossing after clipping another vehicle during the icy conditions.Meanwhile, near Spalding, in Lincolnshire, a 30-year-old woman was killed when her car ended up in the path of a train at a level crossing after clipping another vehicle during the icy conditions.
Motoring organisations reported a 100% increase in the number of call-outs they had received.Motoring organisations reported a 100% increase in the number of call-outs they had received.
Arctic airArctic air
The AA said most of the extra workload came from home starts, with flat batteries being the most common problem.The AA said most of the extra workload came from home starts, with flat batteries being the most common problem.
Age Concern urged vulnerable older people to take extra precautions to stay warm and keep active during the cold spell.Age Concern urged vulnerable older people to take extra precautions to stay warm and keep active during the cold spell.
The charity added that £5bn of benefits were still going unclaimed, although the government said 2.5 million cold weather payments had already been made.The charity added that £5bn of benefits were still going unclaimed, although the government said 2.5 million cold weather payments had already been made.
BBC weather forecaster John Hammond explained that the current freezing conditions have been caused by an outbreak of Arctic air which has swept across Scandinavia and over the North Sea.BBC weather forecaster John Hammond explained that the current freezing conditions have been caused by an outbreak of Arctic air which has swept across Scandinavia and over the North Sea.
Temperatures are still a long way off the record low of -27C (-16.6F) in northern Scotland 14 years ago, and the current cold period is expected to ease later in the week.Temperatures are still a long way off the record low of -27C (-16.6F) in northern Scotland 14 years ago, and the current cold period is expected to ease later in the week.
Pensioners worried about high energy bills can call Age Concern's free helpline on 0800 00 99 66 for advice.Pensioners worried about high energy bills can call Age Concern's free helpline on 0800 00 99 66 for advice.


Send your weather pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your weather pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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