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Severe weather strands thousands Severe weather strands thousands
(10 minutes later)
Snow and ice has snared thousands of motorists in grid-locked traffic, with parts of south-east England worst hit.Snow and ice has snared thousands of motorists in grid-locked traffic, with parts of south-east England worst hit.
In Basingstoke, 2,000 vehicles ground to a halt leaving about 3,000 people trapped, Hampshire Constabulary said.In Basingstoke, 2,000 vehicles ground to a halt leaving about 3,000 people trapped, Hampshire Constabulary said.
Meanwhile, EasyJet said it had suspended its flights from Luton, Gatwick, Stansted, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports.Meanwhile, EasyJet said it had suspended its flights from Luton, Gatwick, Stansted, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports.
The Met Office warned of icy conditions across the UK and more snowfalls for the southern half of England.The Met Office warned of icy conditions across the UK and more snowfalls for the southern half of England.
Five emergency rest centres were set up in the Basingstoke area for those who could not get home and police predicted the disruption could last for up to 12 to 18 hours.Five emergency rest centres were set up in the Basingstoke area for those who could not get home and police predicted the disruption could last for up to 12 to 18 hours.
There were also long delays on the M4, the M3 and the M40, to the north and west of London.There were also long delays on the M4, the M3 and the M40, to the north and west of London.
The president of the AA, Edmund King, said the organisation had had its busiest day in 10 years and its own patrols were now getting stuck.The president of the AA, Edmund King, said the organisation had had its busiest day in 10 years and its own patrols were now getting stuck.
He said he left Basingstoke at 1430 GMT on Monday, before the worst of the conditions, but the situation there was already bad.He said he left Basingstoke at 1430 GMT on Monday, before the worst of the conditions, but the situation there was already bad.
Ice warning in Scotland Snow disrupts schools in Wales Manchester Airport hit by snow Icy roads in Northern IrelandIce warning in Scotland Snow disrupts schools in Wales Manchester Airport hit by snow Icy roads in Northern Ireland
He said: "Just trying to get out of Basingstoke onto the ring road was absolutely treacherous - it was like an ice rink. Cars were skidding all over the place.He said: "Just trying to get out of Basingstoke onto the ring road was absolutely treacherous - it was like an ice rink. Cars were skidding all over the place.
"My car was skidding and colleagues now are still stuck in Basingstoke - stuck in the office there.""My car was skidding and colleagues now are still stuck in Basingstoke - stuck in the office there."
The majority of those stranded in the town were able to move on by 0230 GMT, police said, although some motorists were resting overnight in the rescue centres, set up by Hampshire County Council.The majority of those stranded in the town were able to move on by 0230 GMT, police said, although some motorists were resting overnight in the rescue centres, set up by Hampshire County Council.
One woman old the BBC: "My husband left work in Reading at 1500 GMT and is still to arrive home - it is now 2315 GMT. He has been trapped in traffic for over eight hours and will still have to leave the car and walk the rest of the way home." One woman told the BBC: "My husband left work in Reading at 1500 GMT and is still to arrive home - it is now 2315 GMT. He has been trapped in traffic for over eight hours and will still have to leave the car and walk the rest of the way home."
Overnight temperatures were predicted to drop well below zero across the UK from Monday night to Tuesday morning.Overnight temperatures were predicted to drop well below zero across the UK from Monday night to Tuesday morning.
In Newcastle, minus 4C (25F), minus 4C in Glasgow, the same in Manchester and minus 2C (28F) in Cardiff.In Newcastle, minus 4C (25F), minus 4C in Glasgow, the same in Manchester and minus 2C (28F) in Cardiff.
In parts of northern England temperatures were predicted to reach as low as minus 9C (16F), and minus 13C (9F) in the highlands of Scotland.In parts of northern England temperatures were predicted to reach as low as minus 9C (16F), and minus 13C (9F) in the highlands of Scotland.
'Massive backlog''Massive backlog'
In Scotland, police have advised drivers to take care in the wintry conditions and, where the weather is very bad, not to leave home.In Scotland, police have advised drivers to take care in the wintry conditions and, where the weather is very bad, not to leave home.
There was also widespread disruption to airports across the UK as a result of the on-going bad weather.There was also widespread disruption to airports across the UK as a result of the on-going bad weather.
And the Eurostar train service was preparing to deal with a "massive backlog" as it reopens on Tuesday morning after being closed for three days.And the Eurostar train service was preparing to deal with a "massive backlog" as it reopens on Tuesday morning after being closed for three days.
Domestic rail services across the UK were also delayed and buses replaced trains in many areas.Domestic rail services across the UK were also delayed and buses replaced trains in many areas.
Southeastern trains said it would be operating a Saturday timetable service on mainline, metro and high-speed routes on Tuesday, with a normal weekday service for Thameslink trains run via Blackfriars.Southeastern trains said it would be operating a Saturday timetable service on mainline, metro and high-speed routes on Tuesday, with a normal weekday service for Thameslink trains run via Blackfriars.
The company said there would be additional high-speed services through the day and a shuttle service between London Bridge and Cannon Street during the morning and evening peak times.The company said there would be additional high-speed services through the day and a shuttle service between London Bridge and Cannon Street during the morning and evening peak times.
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Stranded passenger Cheryl Jenkins on her ordeal at Luton airportStranded passenger Cheryl Jenkins on her ordeal at Luton airport
FORECAST FROM BBC WEATHERFORECAST FROM BBC WEATHER
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Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy

Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy
Temperature tab onlyTemperature tab only

Temperature (°C)

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC WeatherMore details from BBC Weather
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