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| Warning over heavy snow forecast | Warning over heavy snow forecast |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Heavy snowfall is expected in parts of the UK, with south-east England expected to be worst affected. | Heavy snowfall is expected in parts of the UK, with south-east England expected to be worst affected. |
| The Met Office has issued an early warning and said travel networks may be affected by snow on Friday. | The Met Office has issued an early warning and said travel networks may be affected by snow on Friday. |
| Up to 20cm of snow could fall in some parts of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, London and East Anglia, with gale-force winds causing drifts, forecasters say. | Up to 20cm of snow could fall in some parts of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, London and East Anglia, with gale-force winds causing drifts, forecasters say. |
| Snow is also forecast in parts of central and northern England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. | Snow is also forecast in parts of central and northern England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. |
| There have already been intermittent snow showers leaving a light covering of snow across north-east England, parts of East Anglia and the Midlands. | There have already been intermittent snow showers leaving a light covering of snow across north-east England, parts of East Anglia and the Midlands. |
| However the main heavy snowfall is expected on Thursday evening, deteriorating after dark across eastern England and the South. | However the main heavy snowfall is expected on Thursday evening, deteriorating after dark across eastern England and the South. |
| Bands of snow are expected to spread across south-east England, East Anglia and the London area, where forecasters say 10cm of snow could fall by midnight. | Bands of snow are expected to spread across south-east England, East Anglia and the London area, where forecasters say 10cm of snow could fall by midnight. |
| John Hammond, of the BBC Weather Centre, said conditions would worsen through the early hours of Friday, with gale-force winds causing snow to drift, and some places seeing as much as 20cm of snow. | John Hammond, of the BBC Weather Centre, said conditions would worsen through the early hours of Friday, with gale-force winds causing snow to drift, and some places seeing as much as 20cm of snow. |
| ADVICE TO ROAD USERS Do not travel in severe weather unless journey is essentialCheck local and national weather forecasts before setting out and take warm clothes, food, water, boots, a torch and spadeDrive with care even after roads are salt treated and keep your distance - it can take 10 times longer to stop in icy conditions Source: Highways Agency href="#comments">Are you affected? | |
| Conditions are expected to be at their worst during the Friday morning rush hour. | Conditions are expected to be at their worst during the Friday morning rush hour. |
| Conditions in the South East are expected to ease during Friday, with more cold and icy weather predicted for Saturday and Sunday. | Conditions in the South East are expected to ease during Friday, with more cold and icy weather predicted for Saturday and Sunday. |
| Further snow is predicted over the weekend, particularly across the north of the UK. | Further snow is predicted over the weekend, particularly across the north of the UK. |
| However the Met Office said it was too early to say whether there would be a white Christmas. | However the Met Office said it was too early to say whether there would be a white Christmas. |
| A Met Office spokesman said: "Current indications show an ongoing battle between the colder air currently over the UK and milder air pushing in from the west. As a result the forecast for Christmas Day is still too close to call." | A Met Office spokesman said: "Current indications show an ongoing battle between the colder air currently over the UK and milder air pushing in from the west. As a result the forecast for Christmas Day is still too close to call." |
| UK WEATHER WARNINGS For more information, visit BBC Weather | UK WEATHER WARNINGS For more information, visit BBC Weather |
| The Highways Agency said it had 94 winter maintenance compounds across England, with 25 in the South East, and was able to treat all roads within three hours of severe forecasts. | The Highways Agency said it had 94 winter maintenance compounds across England, with 25 in the South East, and was able to treat all roads within three hours of severe forecasts. |
| A spokesman told the BBC: "The snowfall in February [2009] was the worst the UK has seen for at least 18 years and was a tough test of our winter preparations. | A spokesman told the BBC: "The snowfall in February [2009] was the worst the UK has seen for at least 18 years and was a tough test of our winter preparations. |
| "The Highways Agency was well prepared for the severe weather and working with central government, was able to help a number of local highway authorities experiencing difficulties with shortfalls in their salt levels." | "The Highways Agency was well prepared for the severe weather and working with central government, was able to help a number of local highway authorities experiencing difficulties with shortfalls in their salt levels." |
| But earlier this week, the AA motoring organisation said half of the UK's local authorities only had enough road salt for six days of continuous freezing. | But earlier this week, the AA motoring organisation said half of the UK's local authorities only had enough road salt for six days of continuous freezing. |
| It said councils had 250,000 tonnes less salt than a decade ago - a claim dismissed as "scaremongering" by the Local Government Association. | It said councils had 250,000 tonnes less salt than a decade ago - a claim dismissed as "scaremongering" by the Local Government Association. |
| The Highways Agency has advised drivers to carry out simple vehicle checks before setting out, to carry a severe weather emergency kit in their vehicles, and to monitor the traffic and weather conditions. | The Highways Agency has advised drivers to carry out simple vehicle checks before setting out, to carry a severe weather emergency kit in their vehicles, and to monitor the traffic and weather conditions. |
| Forecasters have already warned of very cold weather this week, with temperatures falling as low as minus four. | Forecasters have already warned of very cold weather this week, with temperatures falling as low as minus four. |
| The Department of Health has urged older people, families with young children and people with disabilities or long-term health conditions to take extra precautions to keep warm and well during the cold weather. | The Department of Health has urged older people, families with young children and people with disabilities or long-term health conditions to take extra precautions to keep warm and well during the cold weather. |
| Return to top | Return to top |
| Have you been affected by the snowy conditions? Let us know using the form below. You can also send in your snow pictures and video. | Have you been affected by the snowy conditions? Let us know using the form below. You can also send in your snow pictures and video. |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions. |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |