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Heavy snow warnings in cold snap Heavy snow warnings in cold snap
(11 minutes later)
Extreme weather warnings have been issued across England as heavy snowfall threatens further disruption on roads and closures of schools and airports.Extreme weather warnings have been issued across England as heavy snowfall threatens further disruption on roads and closures of schools and airports.
The Met Office predicted conditions would worsen overnight as the cold snap continued, warning some counties could see "exceptionally heavy snowfall".The Met Office predicted conditions would worsen overnight as the cold snap continued, warning some counties could see "exceptionally heavy snowfall".
Hundreds of schools were closed and flights suspended on Tuesday.Hundreds of schools were closed and flights suspended on Tuesday.
One man died in a crash on the M60 in Manchester while another motorist's car skidded into the path of a train.One man died in a crash on the M60 in Manchester while another motorist's car skidded into the path of a train.
Police have warned of hazardous driving conditions and in some areas have urged motorists to only travel if absolutely necessary.Police have warned of hazardous driving conditions and in some areas have urged motorists to only travel if absolutely necessary.
The Met Office said snow that had been affecting Scotland and northern England was moving south and the heaviest falls over the next 24 hours were expected across parts of central and southern England and south-east Wales.The Met Office said snow that had been affecting Scotland and northern England was moving south and the heaviest falls over the next 24 hours were expected across parts of central and southern England and south-east Wales.
We are working flat out to keep our roads safe and serviceable for use Derek Turner, Highways AgencyWe are working flat out to keep our roads safe and serviceable for use Derek Turner, Highways Agency
It said Dorset, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire could be among those worst hit.It said Dorset, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire could be among those worst hit.
Between 15cm (6in) and 30cm (12in) of snow is expected but there could be "in excess of 40cm (16in)", it said.Between 15cm (6in) and 30cm (12in) of snow is expected but there could be "in excess of 40cm (16in)", it said.
Met Office chief forecaster Tony Waters said: "This is expected to cause disruption to transport networks and could lead to problems with power supplies."Met Office chief forecaster Tony Waters said: "This is expected to cause disruption to transport networks and could lead to problems with power supplies."
Derek Turner, from the Highways Agency, said: "We are working flat out to keep our roads safe and serviceable for use.Derek Turner, from the Highways Agency, said: "We are working flat out to keep our roads safe and serviceable for use.
"However, it is very important to drive appropriately for the conditions, and even when roads are treated and appear ice- and snow-free, they should still be negotiated with care.""However, it is very important to drive appropriately for the conditions, and even when roads are treated and appear ice- and snow-free, they should still be negotiated with care."
Analysis: Why so cold? In Pictures: Snow hits EnglandAnalysis: Why so cold? In Pictures: Snow hits England
Warnings of either heavy snow or ice were in place for every county.Warnings of either heavy snow or ice were in place for every county.
Parts of Surrey, Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex, Buckinghamshire and the Isle of Wight were among those also expected to see "extreme" conditions.Parts of Surrey, Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex, Buckinghamshire and the Isle of Wight were among those also expected to see "extreme" conditions.
The Met Office said unofficial snow depths of 8cm (3.1in) had been reported at Braunton in Devon, 15cm (6in) at Radcliffe in Manchester, and 11cm (4.3in) at Coopers Hill, Brockworth in Gloucestershire.The Met Office said unofficial snow depths of 8cm (3.1in) had been reported at Braunton in Devon, 15cm (6in) at Radcliffe in Manchester, and 11cm (4.3in) at Coopers Hill, Brockworth in Gloucestershire.
Southampton Airport closed on Tuesday evening because of snow as the weather began to worsen in Hampshire.Southampton Airport closed on Tuesday evening because of snow as the weather began to worsen in Hampshire.
Flights were either delayed, diverted or cancelled, according to the BAA Southampton website.Flights were either delayed, diverted or cancelled, according to the BAA Southampton website.
A statement on the website said: "Snow has just arrived at Southampton Airport and operations are temporarily suspended whilst snow is cleared from the runway."A statement on the website said: "Snow has just arrived at Southampton Airport and operations are temporarily suspended whilst snow is cleared from the runway."
All flights arriving at and departing from London Luton Airport were also suspended on Tuesday evening. Passengers were advised to contact their airline.All flights arriving at and departing from London Luton Airport were also suspended on Tuesday evening. Passengers were advised to contact their airline.
Earlier on Tuesday, several airports suspended flights after planes and runways could not be kept free of snow. Manchester Airport and Leeds Bradford were both forced to close but later reopened.Earlier on Tuesday, several airports suspended flights after planes and runways could not be kept free of snow. Manchester Airport and Leeds Bradford were both forced to close but later reopened.
'Critical incident''Critical incident'
Liverpool John Lennon Airport was closed during various periods of the day, while the runway at Birmingham International Airport was out of action for two hours.Liverpool John Lennon Airport was closed during various periods of the day, while the runway at Birmingham International Airport was out of action for two hours.
Blackpool International remains closed and passengers who had been due to fly out on Tuesday were being put on flights scheduled for Wednesday.Blackpool International remains closed and passengers who had been due to fly out on Tuesday were being put on flights scheduled for Wednesday.
A man died on the M60 when two lorries collided in the snow.A man died on the M60 when two lorries collided in the snow.
In North Yorkshire, a man had a lucky escape when his car was hit by a train at a level crossing near Selby. It is thought the vehicle skidded in snow.In North Yorkshire, a man had a lucky escape when his car was hit by a train at a level crossing near Selby. It is thought the vehicle skidded in snow.
In Derbyshire, two 13-year-old boys had to be rescued by firefighters from an island in the middle of a frozen lake.In Derbyshire, two 13-year-old boys had to be rescued by firefighters from an island in the middle of a frozen lake.
People in Hillsborough, Sheffield enjoying the snowy conditionsPeople in Hillsborough, Sheffield enjoying the snowy conditions
In Berkshire, where some of the heaviest snow was due, West Berkshire Council said it had 125 tonnes of salt for the road and more was due to be delivered.In Berkshire, where some of the heaviest snow was due, West Berkshire Council said it had 125 tonnes of salt for the road and more was due to be delivered.
Thames Valley Police warned motorists not to travel unless it was absolutely essential.Thames Valley Police warned motorists not to travel unless it was absolutely essential.
In north Devon, police declared the situation as a "critical incident".In north Devon, police declared the situation as a "critical incident".
In Cumbria, mountain rescue teams were drafted in to help the North West Ambulance Service, which said it could only respond to life-threatening cases.In Cumbria, mountain rescue teams were drafted in to help the North West Ambulance Service, which said it could only respond to life-threatening cases.
In Hampshire, where 30cm (12in) of snow was forecast, the police force opened its adverse weather office and the Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust said it expected to face "severe" pressure on resources.In Hampshire, where 30cm (12in) of snow was forecast, the police force opened its adverse weather office and the Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust said it expected to face "severe" pressure on resources.
Steve McManus, the trust's chief operating officer, said: "We are currently under pressure throughout the trust and, as the weather worsens this evening and overnight, we are expecting a very busy period."Steve McManus, the trust's chief operating officer, said: "We are currently under pressure throughout the trust and, as the weather worsens this evening and overnight, we are expecting a very busy period."
Hampshire Constabulary advised people in badly affected areas to prepare an emergency pack in case they are snowed in or have to be evacuated.Hampshire Constabulary advised people in badly affected areas to prepare an emergency pack in case they are snowed in or have to be evacuated.
The Met Office said the current bout of cold weather had been the most prolonged spell of freezing conditions across the UK since December 1981.The Met Office said the current bout of cold weather had been the most prolonged spell of freezing conditions across the UK since December 1981.
Bitterly cold and wintry weather is forecast to continue for the next couple of weeks with further snowfall expected at times.Bitterly cold and wintry weather is forecast to continue for the next couple of weeks with further snowfall expected at times.
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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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