'UK braced for weekend icy blasts' diff viewer (1/2) - News Sniffer

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UK braced for weekend icy blasts	UK braced for weekend icy blasts
2010-01-08 18:30:58 UTC	2010-01-08 18:40:29 UTC (10 minutes later)
Britain is bracing itself for icy blasts as the freezing weather looks set to continue over the weekend.	Britain is bracing itself for icy blasts as the freezing weather looks set to continue over the weekend.
The forecast came as the government stepped in to conserve road gritting stocks due to dwindling salt supplies.	The forecast came as the government stepped in to conserve road gritting stocks due to dwindling salt supplies.
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said local authorities had agreed to cut salt use by 25%.	Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said local authorities had agreed to cut salt use by 25%.
Meanwhile two brothers have died in hospital in Leicester after falling through the ice at a country park. Two other brothers are still in hospital.	Meanwhile two brothers have died in hospital in Leicester after falling through the ice at a country park. Two other brothers are still in hospital.
One is still in critical condition.	One is still in critical condition.
The men were reportedly scattering ashes on Watermead Country Park in Leicestershire.	The men were reportedly scattering ashes on Watermead Country Park in Leicestershire.
Police say members of the public used ropes in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue the brothers.	Police say members of the public used ropes in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue the brothers.
As temperatures remained at sub-zero levels, roads and schools remain closed while there have been continuing delays at airports and on the trains.	As temperatures remained at sub-zero levels, roads and schools remain closed while there have been continuing delays at airports and on the trains.
Forecasters say it will feel colder overnight because of an "increased wind chill" coming from Germany and Poland.	Forecasters say it will feel colder overnight because of an "increased wind chill" coming from Germany and Poland.
Up to 20cm of snow is forecast for parts of South Yorkshire and the south of London - from Essex to Brighton.	Up to 20cm of snow is forecast for parts of South Yorkshire and the south of London - from Essex to Brighton.
'Restrictions'	'Restrictions'
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis announced the reduction in road gritting following a meeting of the "Salt Cell" - a body made up of ministers, the Highways Agency and local authorities.	Transport Secretary Lord Adonis announced the reduction in road gritting following a meeting of the "Salt Cell" - a body made up of ministers, the Highways Agency and local authorities.
Supplies of salt have been close to running out in some areas, with many councils restricting gritting to major roads.	Supplies of salt have been close to running out in some areas, with many councils restricting gritting to major roads.
Forecasters have also warned that the freezing conditions could last at least another week.	Forecasters have also warned that the freezing conditions could last at least another week.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is chairing a ministerial meeting at the Cabinet Office of ministers and agencies to discuss responses to the severe weather.	Prime Minister Gordon Brown is chairing a ministerial meeting at the Cabinet Office of ministers and agencies to discuss responses to the severe weather.
FROZEN BRITAIN See an enlarged version Special report: Frozen Britain Coldest place residents 'coping'	FROZEN BRITAIN See an enlarged version Special report: Frozen Britain Coldest place residents 'coping'
Earlier he said the "spirit of the British people to support each other in times of difficulty" had emerged across the UK.	Earlier he said the "spirit of the British people to support each other in times of difficulty" had emerged across the UK.
BBC weather forecaster Rob McElwee said snowfall of up to 3cm was expected elsewhere in England late Saturday and Sunday but Scotland and Wales were not likely to see record-breaking temperatures overnight.	BBC weather forecaster Rob McElwee said snowfall of up to 3cm was expected elsewhere in England late Saturday and Sunday but Scotland and Wales were not likely to see record-breaking temperatures overnight.
Friday saw the UK's coldest day so far when the mercury plunged to -22.3C (-8.1F) in the Highland village of Altnaharra.	Friday saw the UK's coldest day so far when the mercury plunged to -22.3C (-8.1F) in the Highland village of Altnaharra.
Thousands of schools remain shut, with exam candidates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland warned they could have to wait five months to sit GCSE and A-level modules if weather prevents them taking them next week.	Thousands of schools remain shut, with exam candidates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland warned they could have to wait five months to sit GCSE and A-level modules 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.
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 and it was up to head teachers to use common sense as to whether to authorise a child's absence in severe weather.	A spokesman said the focus of government concern was solely on persistent, unauthorised absence and it was up to head teachers to use common sense as to whether to authorise a child's absence in severe weather.
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
Thieves using a lorry with heavy-lifting gear stole 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 stole a grit bin with two tonnes of salt intended for streets and footpaths from a road in Newton Mearns outside Glasgow.
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 large storage facilities while, in Scotland, several barn roofs have collapsed under the weight of snow.	Some farmers have had to dump supplies as few have large storage facilities while, in Scotland, several barn roofs have collapsed under the weight of snow.
Electricity suppliers say "a few hundred" homes in southern England are without power, after 5,000 were cut off by weather-related problems on Thursday.	Electricity suppliers say "a few hundred" homes in southern England are without power, after 5,000 were cut off by weather-related problems on Thursday.
Travel problems persist, with passengers advised to check their flight's status before going to the airport:	Travel problems persist, with passengers advised to check their flight's status before going to the airport:
Easyjet cancelled about 30 flights at airports including Gatwick, Liverpool, Belfast and Stansted. All airports are now open, though suffering from widespread delays British Airways said 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, while Eurostar has cancelled several services Rail passengers travelling through Birmingham are being delayed by up to two hours because of signalling problems at New Street. This affects some Virgin Trains, Arriva Trains Wales, CrossCountry, London Midland and Wrexham and Shropshire services The outside lane of the M40 was closed for much of its length throughout Oxfordshire due to snow and ice, and the A3(M) in Hampshire faced northbound restrictions between junctions three and two In north-east England, there are delays on the southbound A1(M) near Washington after a crash caused the closure of one lane Snow and ice forced the closure of a lane of the M58 near Kirkby, Merseyside, and one in each direction on the M48 Severn Bridge Updates can be found at BBC Travel News The weather is causing major disruption to the weekend's sporting programme, with football's Premier League among those affected	Easyjet cancelled about 30 flights at airports including Gatwick, Liverpool, Belfast and Stansted. All airports are now open, though suffering from widespread delays British Airways said 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, while Eurostar has cancelled several services Rail passengers travelling through Birmingham are being delayed by up to two hours because of signalling problems at New Street. This affects some Virgin Trains, Arriva Trains Wales, CrossCountry, London Midland and Wrexham and Shropshire services The outside lane of the M40 was closed for much of its length throughout Oxfordshire due to snow and ice, and the A3(M) in Hampshire faced northbound restrictions between junctions three and two In north-east England, there are delays on the southbound A1(M) near Washington after a crash caused the closure of one lane Snow and ice forced the closure of a lane of the M58 near Kirkby, Merseyside, and one in each direction on the M48 Severn Bridge Updates can be found at BBC Travel News The weather is causing major disruption to the weekend's sporting programme, with football's Premier League among those affected
The RAC said its patrol teams had attended 5,000 call-outs by midday on Friday and 250,000 since the cold weather began on 18 December.	The RAC said its patrol teams had attended 5,000 call-outs by midday on Friday and 250,000 since the cold weather began on 18 December.
The organisation said it was receiving about 1,500 calls an hour - more than twice as many as normal. The busiest areas today were Manchester and the Wirral, Scotland, the West Midlands and Wales.	The organisation said it was receiving about 1,500 calls an hour - more than twice as many as normal. The busiest areas today were Manchester and the Wirral, Scotland, the West Midlands and Wales.
Meanwhile, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has insisted there are "plenty of supplies" of gas, with storage about 70% full, and that domestic customers need not worry.	Meanwhile, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has insisted there are "plenty of supplies" of gas, with storage about 70% full, and that domestic customers need not worry.
Demand for gas in the UK hit a new record on Thursday with the National Grid saying usage reached 454 million cubic metres. The previous record was 449 million cubic metres, which was set on 7 January 2003.	Demand for gas in the UK hit a new record on Thursday with the National Grid saying usage reached 454 million cubic metres. The previous record was 449 million cubic metres, which was set on 7 January 2003.
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
The Met Office recorded the UK's lowest temperature this winter on Friday morning in Altnaharra, Sutherland, while England's low was -17C (1.4F) in Woodford, Cheshire.	The Met Office recorded the UK's lowest temperature this winter on Friday morning 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.
In Bristol Harbour, the temperature was low enough for the sea to begin to freeze over.	In Bristol Harbour, the temperature was low enough for the sea to begin to freeze over.
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 and forecasters say winds could make it feel even colder.	Temperatures are expected to stay around freezing throughout Friday and forecasters say winds could make it feel even colder.
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.
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