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Snow set to spread to much of UK Snow set to spread to much of UK
(10 minutes later)
Much of the UK is to be blanketed by snow as the cold weather continues, the BBC weather centre has said.Much of the UK is to be blanketed by snow as the cold weather continues, the BBC weather centre has said.
Snow fell overnight in Scotland - where many schools will stay closed - as well as in northern England and north Wales.Snow fell overnight in Scotland - where many schools will stay closed - as well as in northern England and north Wales.
The band of snow is expected to move south during Tuesday, with a covering in some areas of up to 10cm (4ins).The band of snow is expected to move south during Tuesday, with a covering in some areas of up to 10cm (4ins).
The National Grid issued a gas balancing alert, for only the second time, asking power suppliers to use less gas as more was sourced overseas.The National Grid issued a gas balancing alert, for only the second time, asking power suppliers to use less gas as more was sourced overseas.
Extra gas being brought in - including supplies from Belgium and Norway - was necessary to meet rising demand after a 30% rise on normal seasonal use during the cold snap.Extra gas being brought in - including supplies from Belgium and Norway - was necessary to meet rising demand after a 30% rise on normal seasonal use during the cold snap.
The gas balancing alert (GBA) was issued on Monday afternoon. It warns industrial users such as power stations to reduce fuel consumption and encourages suppliers to bring in more gas.The gas balancing alert (GBA) was issued on Monday afternoon. It warns industrial users such as power stations to reduce fuel consumption and encourages suppliers to bring in more gas.
The only previous time a GBA was used was in March 2006.The only previous time a GBA was used was in March 2006.
This current alert was due to expire at 0600 GMT on Tuesday, with National Grid bosses then due to meet to consider whether to extend the warning. A spokesman said the alert had already proved effective.This current alert was due to expire at 0600 GMT on Tuesday, with National Grid bosses then due to meet to consider whether to extend the warning. A spokesman said the alert had already proved effective.
THE UK AT A GLANCE In Scotland, all schools in the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, and Lewis and Harris remain closed since ChristmasSevere weather warning for motorists in Northern Ireland, where icy weather forced closure of the Giant's CausewayTreacherous driving conditions in Wales, where many councils say they are dealing with huge demands on gritSome very heavy snow showers predicted as wintry weather moves south across England Giant's Causeway shut in icy snap Ministers deny salt supply crisis Snow in Scotland: Your storiesTHE UK AT A GLANCE In Scotland, all schools in the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, and Lewis and Harris remain closed since ChristmasSevere weather warning for motorists in Northern Ireland, where icy weather forced closure of the Giant's CausewayTreacherous driving conditions in Wales, where many councils say they are dealing with huge demands on gritSome very heavy snow showers predicted as wintry weather moves south across England Giant's Causeway shut in icy snap Ministers deny salt supply crisis Snow in Scotland: Your stories
The BBC weather centre said in most areas where snow had fallen overnight, it would amount to "a good covering of a few centimetres," however there could be as much as 10cm (4ins) in areas such as the Pennines.The BBC weather centre said in most areas where snow had fallen overnight, it would amount to "a good covering of a few centimetres," however there could be as much as 10cm (4ins) in areas such as the Pennines.
There have also been snow showers across both northern and southern Scotland, also of "a few centimetres".There have also been snow showers across both northern and southern Scotland, also of "a few centimetres".
The weather centre said that later in the morning snow showers would become more frequent across the rest of Wales and into the Midlands and south-west England.The weather centre said that later in the morning snow showers would become more frequent across the rest of Wales and into the Midlands and south-west England.
And into Tuesday evening there is the possibility of very heavy snow showers across southern England.And into Tuesday evening there is the possibility of very heavy snow showers across southern England.
The centre said temperatures have averaged around -5C (23F) in towns across the UK, although in some remote rural areas, such as the highlands of Scotland, temperatures were predicted to fall as low as -15C (5F) during the early hours of Tuesday morning.The centre said temperatures have averaged around -5C (23F) in towns across the UK, although in some remote rural areas, such as the highlands of Scotland, temperatures were predicted to fall as low as -15C (5F) during the early hours of Tuesday morning.
During Tuesday the temperature is likely to hover around freezing across much UK.During Tuesday the temperature is likely to hover around freezing across much UK.
'AA's busiest day''AA's busiest day'
As well as placing strain on energy supplies, the bad weather has also brought more travel problems.As well as placing strain on energy supplies, the bad weather has also brought more travel problems.
On Monday, the AA said it was heading for its busiest day ever, and was likely to attend more than 25,000 breakdowns over 24 hours.On Monday, the AA said it was heading for its busiest day ever, and was likely to attend more than 25,000 breakdowns over 24 hours.
In Northern Ireland, a severe weather warning is in place for motorists as the cold spell continues to make driving conditions treacherous.In Northern Ireland, a severe weather warning is in place for motorists as the cold spell continues to make driving conditions treacherous.
Rain, sleet and snow is forecast to fall on already-icy roads and pavements, with overnight temperatures set to plunge to -5C (23F) in rural areas.Rain, sleet and snow is forecast to fall on already-icy roads and pavements, with overnight temperatures set to plunge to -5C (23F) in rural areas.
Curling fans in Scotland played a match on a frozen lakeCurling fans in Scotland played a match on a frozen lake
Snow could disrupt rush-hour traffic in the morning, and the weather warning is in place until 1200 GMT on Tuesday.Snow could disrupt rush-hour traffic in the morning, and the weather warning is in place until 1200 GMT on Tuesday.
In Scotland, schools in regions across the country have already decided not to reopen after the Christmas break due to the continued sub-zero conditions, councils said.In Scotland, schools in regions across the country have already decided not to reopen after the Christmas break due to the continued sub-zero conditions, councils said.
All schools in the the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway and Lewis and Harris will be closed on Tuesday.All schools in the the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway and Lewis and Harris will be closed on Tuesday.
Other regions have partial closures and parents were warned the situation may change on Tuesday morning.Other regions have partial closures and parents were warned the situation may change on Tuesday morning.
Some closures were due to frozen water, others because of school bus access problems on the icy roads.Some closures were due to frozen water, others because of school bus access problems on the icy roads.
Fife Council had to have several hundred tonnes of salt and grit delivered by the Scottish government after supplies ran low.Fife Council had to have several hundred tonnes of salt and grit delivered by the Scottish government after supplies ran low.
There are also treacherous driving conditions in Wales. The Met Office said widespread icy roads were expected into Tuesday morning as rain, sleet and snow fall onto frozen surfaces.There are also treacherous driving conditions in Wales. The Met Office said widespread icy roads were expected into Tuesday morning as rain, sleet and snow fall onto frozen surfaces.
Most councils said they had enough grit but a number said they would only treat main routes to preserve stock.Most councils said they had enough grit but a number said they would only treat main routes to preserve stock.
The severe weather warning affects Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Anglesey and Wrexham.The severe weather warning affects Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Anglesey and Wrexham.
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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
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Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather
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