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UK hit by coldest night of winter | UK hit by coldest night of winter |
(10 minutes later) | |
The UK has suffered its coldest night of the winter so far with temperatures plummeting to -22.3C (-8.1F) in a village in Sutherland in the Highlands. | |
Overnight temperatures of -10C (14F) were widespread, leaving commuters again battling icy roads and pavements amid "stretched" road salt supplies. | Overnight temperatures of -10C (14F) were widespread, leaving commuters again battling icy roads and pavements amid "stretched" road salt supplies. |
Many schools remain shut, with rail and air travel again hit by delays. Fresh snow is falling in eastern England. | Many schools remain shut, with rail and air travel again hit by delays. Fresh snow is falling in eastern England. |
The weekend could be colder, as another week of Arctic conditions is forecast. | The weekend could be colder, as another week of Arctic conditions is forecast. |
Thousands of schools remain shut, with warnings that some exam candidates could have to wait five months to sit GCSE and A-level modules in England, Wales and Northern Ireland if weather prevents them taking them next week. | Thousands of schools remain shut, with warnings that some exam candidates could have to wait five months to sit GCSE and A-level modules in England, Wales and Northern Ireland if weather prevents them taking them next week. |
Exams watchdog Ofqual said in cases where candidates would not have a second chance to sit papers in the summer, applications could be made for "special consideration". | |
This involves pupils disadvantaged by circumstances being awarded up to an extra 5% of the maximum marks. | |
Milk deliveries have also been disrupted, with tankers struggling to reach dairy farms. | Milk deliveries have also been disrupted, with tankers struggling to reach dairy farms. |
Some farmers have had to dump supplies as few have storage facilities to hold more than a day's stock. | Some farmers have had to dump supplies as few have storage facilities to hold more than a day's stock. |
Hardy swimmers take the plunge in icy water at the Serpentine in London | |
Easyjet has cancelled about 30 flights at airports including Gatwick, Liverpool, Belfast and Stansted, while Norwich Airport has been closed. | Easyjet has cancelled about 30 flights at airports including Gatwick, Liverpool, Belfast and Stansted, while Norwich Airport has been closed. |
British Airways said passengers should check the status of their flight before leaving for the airport. | British Airways said passengers should check the status of their flight before leaving for the airport. |
Passengers at Heathrow airport have reported experiencing a lack of staff and delays in getting their baggage. | Passengers at Heathrow airport have reported experiencing a lack of staff and delays in getting their baggage. |
British Airways claimed it was widespread across Heathrow, not just affecting BA, although the airport said it was restricted to Terminal 5. | British Airways claimed it was widespread across Heathrow, not just affecting BA, although the airport said it was restricted to Terminal 5. |
Train companies operating revised timetables include East Coast, ScotRail, First Great Western, South West Trains, Southern and Southeastern. | Train companies operating revised timetables include East Coast, ScotRail, First Great Western, South West Trains, Southern and Southeastern. |
The breakdown of a train travelling from Brussels to London in the Channel Tunnel on Thursday has affected Eurostar services. | The breakdown of a train travelling from Brussels to London in the Channel Tunnel on Thursday has affected Eurostar services. |
Supplies of road grit are close to running out in some areas, and many councils are restricting gritting to just major roads. | Supplies of road grit are close to running out in some areas, and many councils are restricting gritting to just major roads. |
The Local Government Association admitted reserves were "stretched", while the government is helping suppliers prioritise areas most in need. | The Local Government Association admitted reserves were "stretched", while the government is helping suppliers prioritise areas most in need. |
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 | 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 |
Two lanes of the A1(M) in County Durham had to be shut on Friday morning after a lorry jackknifed near Carville. | Two lanes of the A1(M) in County Durham had to be shut on Friday morning after a lorry jackknifed near Carville. |
Meanwhile, snow and ice forced the closure of a lane of the M58 near Kirkby in Merseyside and one in each direction on the M48 Severn Bridge. | Meanwhile, snow and ice forced the closure of a lane of the M58 near Kirkby in Merseyside and one in each direction on the M48 Severn Bridge. |
Poor conditions have also closed the A4051 Bwlch Mountain Road, near Merthyr Tydfil, and the A542 Horsehoe Pass near Llangollen, Clwyd. | |
Meanwhile, 27 firms - 12 in the East Midlands and 15 in the North West - are still using alternative fuels after National Grid told them to turn off their gas supply, with demand for energy soaring. | Meanwhile, 27 firms - 12 in the East Midlands and 15 in the North West - are still using alternative fuels after National Grid told them to turn off their gas supply, with demand for energy soaring. |
At one stage on Thursday, 95 major firms were affected. | At one stage on Thursday, 95 major firms were affected. |
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn insisted there were "plenty of supplies" of gas, with storage about 70% full. | Environment Secretary Hilary Benn insisted there were "plenty of supplies" of gas, with storage about 70% full. |
He said firms affected were on special contracts - paying less but losing supplies when demand was high - and that there was no need for domestic customers to worry. | He said firms affected were on special contracts - paying less but losing supplies when demand was high - and that there was no need for domestic customers to worry. |
Of some 5,000 homes in southern England which were without power throughout Thursday, all but "a few hundred" were reconnected overnight, energy suppliers said. | Of some 5,000 homes in southern England which were without power throughout Thursday, all but "a few hundred" were reconnected overnight, energy suppliers said. |
School closures | School closures |
Up to 25,000 homes across the UK have been affected by power cuts since Wednesday, mostly because of trees bringing down electricity lines or ice weighing down power cables and triggering safety cut-offs. | Up to 25,000 homes across the UK have been affected by power cuts since Wednesday, mostly because of trees bringing down electricity lines or ice weighing down power cables and triggering safety cut-offs. |
Temperatures barely rose above freezing on Thursday, remaining between -8C and 0C in most parts of the UK. | Temperatures barely rose above freezing on Thursday, remaining between -8C and 0C in most parts of the UK. |
The UK overnight low was recorded at Altnaharra, Sutherland. Others included -16.4C (2.5F) in Woodford, Cheshire, -14.7 (5.5F) in Sennybridge, Powys, and -10 (14F) at Aldergrove near Belfast. | The UK overnight low was recorded at Altnaharra, Sutherland. Others included -16.4C (2.5F) in Woodford, Cheshire, -14.7 (5.5F) in Sennybridge, Powys, and -10 (14F) at Aldergrove near Belfast. |
The lowest ever recorded temperature in the UK was -27.2C (-17F) in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, in 1895 and 1982, and in Altnaharra in 1995. | The lowest ever recorded temperature in the UK was -27.2C (-17F) in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, in 1895 and 1982, and in Altnaharra in 1995. |
Temperatures are expected to stay around freezing throughout Friday, with the treacherous conditions causing many schools to remain shut. They include: | Temperatures are expected to stay around freezing throughout Friday, with the treacherous conditions causing many schools to remain shut. They include: |
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Major disruption has already been caused to the sporting programme over the weekend. | Major disruption has already been caused to the sporting programme over the weekend. |
Four matches in football's Championship have been called off, and only three fixtures survive in Leagues One and Two. Ten Scottish Cup games have fallen victim to the weather. | Four matches in football's Championship have been called off, and only three fixtures survive in Leagues One and Two. Ten Scottish Cup games have fallen victim to the weather. |
Horse racing and rugby union fixtures have also been hit. | Horse racing and rugby union fixtures have also been hit. |
FORECAST FROM BBC WEATHER | FORECAST FROM BBC WEATHER |
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Map Key
FogLight HeavyFrostLight HeavyPressure FrontsCold Warm OccludedRainLight Heavy ExtremeSnowLight Heavy | Map Key
FogLight HeavyFrostLight HeavyPressure FrontsCold Warm OccludedRainLight Heavy ExtremeSnowLight Heavy |
Temperature tab only | Temperature tab only |
Temperature (°C)More details from BBC Weather | Temperature (°C)More details from BBC Weather |
Are you in Altnaharra, or another area affected by the winter freeze? Send us a picture or a video showing how cold the temperature is where you live. | Are you in Altnaharra, or another area affected by the winter freeze? Send us a picture or a video showing how cold the temperature is where you live. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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