'UK cold snap plunges to new low' diff viewer (0/1) - News Sniffer

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UK cold snap plunges to new low	UK cold snap plunges to new low
2010-01-08 12:30:34 UTC	2010-01-08 12:40:48 UTC (10 minutes later)
Britain remains gripped by sub-zero temperatures after the Met Office recorded the winter's coldest day yet.	Britain remains gripped by sub-zero temperatures after the Met Office recorded the winter's coldest day yet.
The mercury plunged to -22.3C (-8.1F) in the Highland village of Altnaharra earlier and UK temperatures ranged from -10C (14F) to 0C (32F) during Friday.	The mercury plunged to -22.3C (-8.1F) in the Highland village of Altnaharra earlier and UK temperatures ranged from -10C (14F) to 0C (32F) during Friday.
Roads and pavements remain icy, with salt supplies "stretched", while thousands of schools are shut. Rail and air travel are again plagued by delays.	Roads and pavements remain icy, with salt supplies "stretched", while thousands of schools are shut. Rail and air travel are again plagued by delays.
Eastern England is getting fresh snow and the weekend could yet be colder.	Eastern England is getting fresh snow and the weekend could yet be colder.
Arctic conditions are forecast to last at least another week.	Arctic conditions are forecast to last at least another week.
Up to 4,000 homes are without water after a main burst outside the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. The hospital was largely unaffected.	Up to 4,000 homes are without water after a main burst outside the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. The hospital was largely unaffected.
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".	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.	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	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.
Overnight it had asked passengers on some flights arriving at Heathrow's Terminal 5 to leave without their luggage, with bags being sent on to them later.	Overnight it had asked passengers on some flights arriving at Heathrow's Terminal 5 to leave without their luggage, with bags being sent on to them later.
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 major roads.	Supplies of road grit are close to running out in some areas, and many councils are restricting gritting to major roads.
Thieves using a lorry with heavy-lifting gear have stolen a grit bin with two tonnes of salt intended for streets and footpaths from a road in Newton Mearns outside Glasgow.	Thieves using a lorry with heavy-lifting gear have stolen a grit bin with two tonnes of salt intended for streets and footpaths from a road in Newton Mearns outside Glasgow.
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
A three-vehicle smash was causing delays on the M9, near the Forth Road Bridge exit, and a lane of the anti-clockwise M25 had to be shut, south-west of London, after a crash.	A three-vehicle smash was causing delays on the M9, near the Forth Road Bridge exit, and a lane of the anti-clockwise M25 had to be shut, south-west of London, after a crash.
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, Denbighshire.	Poor conditions have also closed the A4051 Bwlch Mountain Road, near Merthyr Tydfil, and the A542 Horsehoe Pass near Llangollen, Denbighshire.
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 Met Office recorded the UK's lowest temperature in Altnaharra, Sutherland, while England's low was -17C (1.4F) in Woodford, Cheshire.	The Met Office recorded the UK's lowest temperature in Altnaharra, Sutherland, while England's low was -17C (1.4F) in Woodford, Cheshire.
Sennybridge in Powys was the coldest place in Wales at -14.7 (5.5F), while Northern Ireland's low was -11.1 (12F) at Lough Fea, County Tyrone.	Sennybridge in Powys was the coldest place in Wales at -14.7 (5.5F), while Northern Ireland's low was -11.1 (12F) at Lough Fea, County Tyrone.
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:
Almost 800 - about half of the total - in Wales and about 20 in Northern Ireland All schools in the Borders, Highland and West Lothian council areas, along with most in Aberdeenshire and Moray More than 630 in north-western England, at least 310 across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, 400 in the north-east of England Around 650 in the South West, nearly 2,000 in southern central England, 350 in Essex, 450 in Kent and 600 in East Anglia	Almost 800 - about half of the total - in Wales and about 20 in Northern Ireland All schools in the Borders, Highland and West Lothian council areas, along with most in Aberdeenshire and Moray More than 630 in north-western England, at least 310 across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, 400 in the north-east of England Around 650 in the South West, nearly 2,000 in southern central England, 350 in Essex, 450 in Kent and 600 in East Anglia
The Department for Children, Schools and Families insists schools should stay open "wherever reasonably practicable" during severe weather.	The Department for Children, Schools and Families insists schools should stay open "wherever reasonably practicable" during severe weather.
A spokesman said the focus of government concern was solely on persistent, unauthorised absence.	A spokesman said the focus of government concern was solely on persistent, unauthorised absence.
It was up to head teachers to make "common-sense judgements" about whether to authorise a child's absence on the basis they could not get to school, he added.	It was up to head teachers to make "common-sense judgements" about whether to authorise a child's absence on the basis they could not get to school, he added.
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 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 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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