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'Coldest night of winter' on way 'Coldest night of winter' on way
(10 minutes later)
Snow and ice are set to continue causing problems across the UK with warnings that Thursday night could be the coldest of the winter so far.Snow and ice are set to continue causing problems across the UK with warnings that Thursday night could be the coldest of the winter so far.
Temperatures could plummet to -20C in places, setting local record lows.Temperatures could plummet to -20C in places, setting local record lows.
UK-wide severe weather warnings of ice are in place amid freezing temperatures and "nightmare" side road conditions.UK-wide severe weather warnings of ice are in place amid freezing temperatures and "nightmare" side road conditions.
Thousands of schools have remained shut and travel problems continue, while power cuts are affecting thousands of homes in southern England.Thousands of schools have remained shut and travel problems continue, while power cuts are affecting thousands of homes in southern England.
On Thursday, temperatures barely rose above freezing, remaining between -8C and 0C in most parts of the UK after reaching -18C on Wednesday night.On Thursday, temperatures barely rose above freezing, remaining between -8C and 0C in most parts of the UK after reaching -18C on Wednesday night.
The icy weather is predicted to continue for days to come with more snow for some areas.The icy weather is predicted to continue for days to come with more snow for some areas.
Strong north-easterly winds are forecast for southern England, with warnings this could cause snow to drift.Strong north-easterly winds are forecast for southern England, with warnings this could cause snow to drift.
WEATHER AND TRAVEL INFO Get the latest on school closures and travel problems via your BBC Local websiteCheck if snow is forecast in your area at BBC Weather Details of motorway and local road closures and public transport disruption are available at BBC Travel News For advice on handling difficult driving conditions, see the Highways Agency websiteFor information about severe weather warnings, see the Met Office websiteFor information about staying healthy in the current cold snap, see the NHS Winter Health website Audio slideshow: A day of snow Gas demand hits record level How do schools decide to close? Snow hits sporting fixturesWEATHER AND TRAVEL INFO Get the latest on school closures and travel problems via your BBC Local websiteCheck if snow is forecast in your area at BBC Weather Details of motorway and local road closures and public transport disruption are available at BBC Travel News For advice on handling difficult driving conditions, see the Highways Agency websiteFor information about severe weather warnings, see the Met Office websiteFor information about staying healthy in the current cold snap, see the NHS Winter Health website Audio slideshow: A day of snow Gas demand hits record level How do schools decide to close? Snow hits sporting fixtures
Temperatures in some areas are already dropping, with the sea in Aberystwyth marina reported to have frozen.Temperatures in some areas are already dropping, with the sea in Aberystwyth marina reported to have frozen.
National Grid issued its second gas alert in three days, with demand expected to hit a new record of 454 million cubic metres on Thursday.National Grid issued its second gas alert in three days, with demand expected to hit a new record of 454 million cubic metres on Thursday.
The current record is 449 million cubic metres, set on 7 January 2003.The current record is 449 million cubic metres, set on 7 January 2003.
A spokeswoman said technical problems had led to a supply shortfall of 52 million cubic metres from the Langeled pipeline, which takes gas from Norway.A spokeswoman said technical problems had led to a supply shortfall of 52 million cubic metres from the Langeled pipeline, which takes gas from Norway.
National Grid said other suppliers were putting more gas into the network and major customers were cutting back on usage in response to the alert.National Grid said other suppliers were putting more gas into the network and major customers were cutting back on usage in response to the alert.
Some industrial users in north-west England and the east midlands on "interruptible contracts" have been told their gas supplies will be reduced.Some industrial users in north-west England and the east midlands on "interruptible contracts" have been told their gas supplies will be reduced.
In return for reduced tariffs they agree to take lower supply levels when required by the National Grid. This has not happened for four years.In return for reduced tariffs they agree to take lower supply levels when required by the National Grid. This has not happened for four years.
Roger Salomone, of the Engineering Employers' Federation, said the move had exposed the "longstanding vulnerability in our energy system", showing the nation had to "take security of our energy supply more seriously", including increasing gas storage facilities.Roger Salomone, of the Engineering Employers' Federation, said the move had exposed the "longstanding vulnerability in our energy system", showing the nation had to "take security of our energy supply more seriously", including increasing gas storage facilities.
About 5,000 homes across southern England were without electricity as of 1500 GMT because of trees falling on power lines and safety mechanisms being triggered by ice weighing down cables.About 5,000 homes across southern England were without electricity as of 1500 GMT because of trees falling on power lines and safety mechanisms being triggered by ice weighing down cables.
Up to 25,000 homes across Britain have been similarly affected since Wednesday.Up to 25,000 homes across Britain have been similarly affected since Wednesday.
HAVE YOUR SAY What happens if this weather stays with us for 3 to 4 weeks?Snowman, Essex Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY What happens if this weather stays with us for 3 to 4 weeks?Snowman, Essex Send us your comments
Eurostar is running a limited service after the breakdown of a Brussels to London train in the Channel Tunnel.Eurostar is running a limited service after the breakdown of a Brussels to London train in the Channel Tunnel.
Eurotunnel is only allowing one Eurostar train at a time in the tunnel, which means delays for travellers.Eurotunnel is only allowing one Eurostar train at a time in the tunnel, which means delays for travellers.
All major airports are operating but passengers have been warned to expect delays.All major airports are operating but passengers have been warned to expect delays.
Budget airline Easyjet has cancelled more than 100 flights on Thursday, mostly at Gatwick, where a total of 136 inbound and outbound flights were scrapped. British Airways has also cancelled some flights.Budget airline Easyjet has cancelled more than 100 flights on Thursday, mostly at Gatwick, where a total of 136 inbound and outbound flights were scrapped. British Airways has also cancelled some flights.
Rail services have been severely disrupted by the weather, with train cancellations by several operators.Rail services have been severely disrupted by the weather, with train cancellations by several operators.
Light trafficLight traffic
Many councils around the UK are limiting gritting to major roads, as salt supplies are stretched.Many councils around the UK are limiting gritting to major roads, as salt supplies are stretched.
A survey of councils by the BBC found most had enough supplies to last another two to five days and were hoping to replenish stocks soon under the new government prioritisation scheme announced earlier.A survey of councils by the BBC found most had enough supplies to last another two to five days and were hoping to replenish stocks soon under the new government prioritisation scheme announced earlier.
Transport Minister Sadiq Khan said the government was working with councils, devolved administrations and the Highways Agency to help salt suppliers prioritise deliveries.Transport Minister Sadiq Khan said the government was working with councils, devolved administrations and the Highways Agency to help salt suppliers prioritise deliveries.
BBC Radio 5 live's travel reporter Nick Duncalf said it was so cold that grit might have no effect, although most major routes were "fairly under control" with light traffic levels.BBC Radio 5 live's travel reporter Nick Duncalf said it was so cold that grit might have no effect, although most major routes were "fairly under control" with light traffic levels.
Police warned drivers in many areas not to travel unless their journey was essential. An AA spokesman said: "Drivers should not be lulled into a false sense of security by the break in the heavy snow - ice is far more dangerous to drive on than snow."Police warned drivers in many areas not to travel unless their journey was essential. An AA spokesman said: "Drivers should not be lulled into a false sense of security by the break in the heavy snow - ice is far more dangerous to drive on than snow."
By midday, the AA had attended about 11,000 breakdowns and that figure was expected to reach 20,000 by the end of the day. This compares with about 9,000 on a normal Thursday.By midday, the AA had attended about 11,000 breakdowns and that figure was expected to reach 20,000 by the end of the day. This compares with about 9,000 on a normal Thursday.
Widespread school closures have continued, with about 950 shut in Wales and 700 in Scotland.Widespread school closures have continued, with about 950 shut in Wales and 700 in Scotland.
About 2,000 closed across northern England, hundreds in the Midlands and more than 1,000 in the South West, along with the University of Bath.About 2,000 closed across northern England, hundreds in the Midlands and more than 1,000 in the South West, along with the University of Bath.
The rest of southern England was badly hit, with more than 900 schools shut in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, 250 in Oxfordshire, 380 in Surrey and 600 in the Solent.The rest of southern England was badly hit, with more than 900 schools shut in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, 250 in Oxfordshire, 380 in Surrey and 600 in the Solent.
Nearly 600 were shut in East Anglia, with a further 500 in Kent and 200 in Essex.Nearly 600 were shut in East Anglia, with a further 500 in Kent and 200 in Essex.
The Federation of Small Businesses has criticised head teachers for closing schools too readily, saying lost working days affect many companies.The Federation of Small Businesses has criticised head teachers for closing schools too readily, saying lost working days affect many companies.
In other developments:In other developments:
• A man's body was found under ice in a lake at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, Surrey, on Thursday morning• A man's body was found under ice in a lake at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, Surrey, on Thursday morning
• A teenage boy died and his mother was seriously injured when they were hit by a lorry on the A1 in North Yorkshire on Wednesday night• A teenage boy died and his mother was seriously injured when they were hit by a lorry on the A1 in North Yorkshire on Wednesday night
• A 42-year-old man also died on the A1 when his car crashed with a lorry south of Cockburnspath in Berwickshire• A 42-year-old man also died on the A1 when his car crashed with a lorry south of Cockburnspath in Berwickshire
• A man was treated in hospital after being injured when the weight of snow caused a cattle shed to collapse in Aberdeenshire• A man was treated in hospital after being injured when the weight of snow caused a cattle shed to collapse in Aberdeenshire
• Dozens of farm buildings are reported to have collapsed under the weight of snow in north-east Scotland• Dozens of farm buildings are reported to have collapsed under the weight of snow in north-east Scotland
• A search began in Glen Affric in the Highlands for a 40-year-old man and a boy, 15, who have not been heard from for two days• A search began in Glen Affric in the Highlands for a 40-year-old man and a boy, 15, who have not been heard from for two days
Overnight temperatures on Wednesday plunged to a low of -18C (0F) in Woodford in Greater Manchester and Benson in Oxfordshire. Monitors recorded -13C (9F) in Manchester, -6C (21F) in Glasgow and - 3C (27F) in central London.Overnight temperatures on Wednesday plunged to a low of -18C (0F) in Woodford in Greater Manchester and Benson in Oxfordshire. Monitors recorded -13C (9F) in Manchester, -6C (21F) in Glasgow and - 3C (27F) in central London.
Up to 5cm (2ins) of snow was forecast for eastern England during Thursday, with snow showers possible in Aberdeenshire, the Midlands, the South East, Pembrokeshire and Cornwall. Stronger winds could lead to some drifting.Up to 5cm (2ins) of snow was forecast for eastern England during Thursday, with snow showers possible in Aberdeenshire, the Midlands, the South East, Pembrokeshire and Cornwall. Stronger winds could lead to some drifting.
Sporting fixtures continued to fall foul of the weather, with race meetings at Kempton and Lingfield called off and the weekend's racing, rugby and football fixtures under threat.Sporting fixtures continued to fall foul of the weather, with race meetings at Kempton and Lingfield called off and the weekend's racing, rugby and football fixtures under threat.
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)

More details from BBC Weather

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather
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