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Warning as snow chaos moves south Warning as snow chaos moves south
(22 minutes later)
Emergency weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office for large parts of central and southern England.Emergency weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office for large parts of central and southern England.
Up to 20cm (8in) of snow fell in parts of Scotland and northern England on Tuesday causing travel chaos for millions of people.Up to 20cm (8in) of snow fell in parts of Scotland and northern England on Tuesday causing travel chaos for millions of people.
Another 40cm (16in) has been forecast in some areas as the freezing weather moves from north to south.Another 40cm (16in) has been forecast in some areas as the freezing weather moves from north to south.
More fell overnight and commuters and parents face a difficult journey to work and school on Wednesday.More fell overnight and commuters and parents face a difficult journey to work and school on Wednesday.
The Met Office said Dorset, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire could see "exceptionally heavy" snow.The Met Office said Dorset, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire could see "exceptionally heavy" snow.
Hundreds of schools also had to be closed as the UK entered the grip of its longest cold snap for almost 30 years.Hundreds of schools also had to be closed as the UK entered the grip of its longest cold snap for almost 30 years.
'Widespread disruption''Widespread disruption'
Between 15cm (6in) and 30cm (12in) of snow is expected in some places but there could be as much as 40cm (16in).Between 15cm (6in) and 30cm (12in) of snow is expected in some places but there could be as much as 40cm (16in).
The Met Office said: "This is expected to cause widespread disruption to the transport network and could lead to problems with power supplies."The Met Office said: "This is expected to cause widespread disruption to the transport network and could lead to problems with power supplies."
Parts of Surrey, Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex, Buckinghamshire and the Isle of Wight are also expected to be affected.Parts of Surrey, Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex, Buckinghamshire and the Isle of Wight are also expected to be affected.
A six-year-old boy is in a critical condition in hospital after he fell into an ice-covered garden pond in Crookham Common near Thatcham, Berkshire. It is thought he had been underwater for 30 minutes.A six-year-old boy is in a critical condition in hospital after he fell into an ice-covered garden pond in Crookham Common near Thatcham, Berkshire. It is thought he had been underwater for 30 minutes.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on the Downing Street Twitter site: "As public services do all they can in this extreme weather, please look out for neighbours and relatives in need of assistance."Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on the Downing Street Twitter site: "As public services do all they can in this extreme weather, please look out for neighbours and relatives in need of assistance."
Among other developments:Among other developments:
• National Grid issued a gas balancing alert (GBA) for only the second time, as demand increased by 30% from normal and additional supplies were sought from abroad• National Grid issued a gas balancing alert (GBA) for only the second time, as demand increased by 30% from normal and additional supplies were sought from abroad
• Manchester Airport and Liverpool's John Lennon Airport were temporarily closed. John Lennon reopened at 2030 GMT on Tuesday• Manchester Airport and Liverpool's John Lennon Airport were temporarily closed. John Lennon reopened at 2030 GMT on Tuesday
• Flights were delayed at Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow and Leeds-Bradford• Flights were delayed at Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow and Leeds-Bradford
• A section of the A66 in Cumbria was was shut in both directions• A section of the A66 in Cumbria was was shut in both directions
Southampton Airport closed on Tuesday evening as the snow fell in Hampshire.Southampton Airport closed on Tuesday evening as the snow fell in Hampshire.
A statement on its website said: "Snow has just arrived at Southampton Airport and operations are temporarily suspended whilst snow is cleared from the runway."A statement on its website said: "Snow has just arrived at Southampton Airport and operations are temporarily suspended whilst snow is cleared from the runway."
CHECK LOCAL DISRUPTION Notts: Latest weather information Wiltshire: Severe weather advice Wales: School closures Lincs: Extreme weather advice Staffs: School closures due to snow Cornwall: Weather Information Devon: Severe weather information Lancs: Weather disruption Tyne: Travel and school closures Check for disruption in your areaCHECK LOCAL DISRUPTION Notts: Latest weather information Wiltshire: Severe weather advice Wales: School closures Lincs: Extreme weather advice Staffs: School closures due to snow Cornwall: Weather Information Devon: Severe weather information Lancs: Weather disruption Tyne: Travel and school closures Check for disruption in your area
Gatwick, Luton and Birmingham airports were also shut.Gatwick, Luton and Birmingham airports were also shut.
Many train operators will run revised timetables as they cope with the freezing conditions.Many train operators will run revised timetables as they cope with the freezing conditions.
These include East Coast, East Midlands, Chiltern Railways, First Great Western, National Express East Anglia, South West Trains, Southeastern and Southern.These include East Coast, East Midlands, Chiltern Railways, First Great Western, National Express East Anglia, South West Trains, Southeastern and Southern.
Special de-icer trains ran through the night to keep tracks and overhead cables free of snow and ice.Special de-icer trains ran through the night to keep tracks and overhead cables free of snow and ice.
Among the roads affected by the weather were the A1 northbound at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, A30 eastbound in Cornwall, A27 westbound in West Sussex, and the M27 eastbound and A3 northbound in Hampshire.Among the roads affected by the weather were the A1 northbound at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, A30 eastbound in Cornwall, A27 westbound in West Sussex, and the M27 eastbound and A3 northbound in Hampshire.
A jack-knifed lorry caused the the M54 eastbound in Staffordshire to be closed.A jack-knifed lorry caused the the M54 eastbound in Staffordshire to be closed.
In sport, Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final between Manchester City and Manchester United has been postponed, and horse racing has been abandoned at Southwell and Hexham on Wednesday, and Huntingdon and Ludlow on Thursday.In sport, Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final between Manchester City and Manchester United has been postponed, and horse racing has been abandoned at Southwell and Hexham on Wednesday, and Huntingdon and Ludlow on Thursday.

Why the cold weather?

The current big chill is a result of high pressure over the polar region, which has pushed cold air out of the Arctic towards much of northern Europe, parts of Asia and the US. Winds from the north and north east, rather than from the south and south west, have brought temperatures up to 5C colder than average.
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Provisional Met Office figures for December show temperatures for much of the UK were 1.5C and 2.5C below the mean temperatures for the last 30 years. Scotland saw temperatures dip still lower - from 2.5C to 3.5C. On Tuesday, temperatures in Scotland plunged to -15C in places, while parts of Germany dropped to -19C.
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Winds from the north also brought cold weather to parts of Asia this week, with Beijing receiving its heaviest snowfall for nearly 60 years. Up to 30cm (12 inches) of snow fell in China's capital and its neighbouring port city of Tianjin over the weekend. Dozens of people have also died a cold snap in northern India.
However, while parts of the world suffer freezing temperatures, the seesaw patterns mean other areas are warmer than usual, including Alaska, northern Canada and the Mediterranean. Met Office figures for the end of 2009 show some places dropped 10C below the average, while others were 10C above.
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Why the cold weather?

The current big chill is a result of high pressure over the polar region, which has pushed cold air out of the Arctic towards much of northern Europe, parts of Asia and the US. Winds from the north and north east, rather than the south and south west, have brought freezing temperatures to the UK.
class="dslideshow-entry">
Provisional Met Office figures for December show temperatures for much of the UK were 1.5C and 2.5C below the mean temperatures for the last 30 years. Scotland saw temperatures dip still lower - from 2.5C to 3.5C. On Tuesday, temperatures in Scotland plunged to -15C in places.
class="dslideshow-entry">
Winds from the north also brought cold weather to parts of Asia, with Beijing receiving its heaviest snowfall for nearly 60 years. At the weekend, up to 30cm (12in) of snow fell in China's capital and its neighbouring port city of Tianjin. Dozens of people have also died in a cold snap in northern India.
However, while parts of the world suffer freezing temperatures, the seesaw patterns mean other areas are warmer than usual, including Alaska, northern Canada and the Mediterranean. Met Office figures for the end of 2009 show some places dropped 10C below the average, while others were 10C above.
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