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Icy roads alert after heavy snow Icy roads alert after heavy snow
(10 minutes later)
Britain's motorists are facing treacherous driving conditions after untreated roads turned icy when overnight temperatures plunged.Britain's motorists are facing treacherous driving conditions after untreated roads turned icy when overnight temperatures plunged.
The Met Office warns of "widespread ice" for most of the UK, though snow on Thursday should be limited to parts of Scotland. It advises avoiding travel.The Met Office warns of "widespread ice" for most of the UK, though snow on Thursday should be limited to parts of Scotland. It advises avoiding travel.
Hundreds of schools remain shut after Wednesday's snow, which caused crashes and hit transport in England and Wales.Hundreds of schools remain shut after Wednesday's snow, which caused crashes and hit transport in England and Wales.
More freezing conditions are forecast, before a weekend thaw threatens floods.More freezing conditions are forecast, before a weekend thaw threatens floods.
Warmer temperatures and heavy rain are forecast across England on Saturday, although temperatures are set to plunge again on Monday.Warmer temperatures and heavy rain are forecast across England on Saturday, although temperatures are set to plunge again on Monday.
Most schools are again open for students sitting A-level, AS-level and GCSE exams.Most schools are again open for students sitting A-level, AS-level and GCSE exams.
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 cold weather, see the NHS Winter Health website Drivers stuck in snow for hours Road jam not our fault say police Fresh snow: Your picturesWEATHER 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 cold weather, see the NHS Winter Health website Drivers stuck in snow for hours Road jam not our fault say police Fresh snow: Your pictures
However, many were closed to other pupils. In West Yorkshire, 167 are shut. Across Wales, at least 230 are not open.However, many were closed to other pupils. In West Yorkshire, 167 are shut. Across Wales, at least 230 are not open.
Some rural communities remain cut off, while others are coping with power cuts, water leaks, increasing numbers of potholes and cancelled rubbish collections.Some rural communities remain cut off, while others are coping with power cuts, water leaks, increasing numbers of potholes and cancelled rubbish collections.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said the bad weather had brought the economy to a standstill and estimated it was costing £600m a day.The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said the bad weather had brought the economy to a standstill and estimated it was costing £600m a day.
Airports are open after a day of delays and cancellations at Gatwick, London City, Birmingham International, Southampton and Cardiff, where snow closed runways.Airports are open after a day of delays and cancellations at Gatwick, London City, Birmingham International, Southampton and Cardiff, where snow closed runways.
Nearly 300 flights were cancelled at Heathrow on Wednesday.Nearly 300 flights were cancelled at Heathrow on Wednesday.
A woman died after falling into a freezing lake near Nazeing, Essex, while trying to rescue her dog.A woman died after falling into a freezing lake near Nazeing, Essex, while trying to rescue her dog.
On Wednesday, roads in parts of Wales were reportedly buried beneath 6ft (1.8m) snow drifts, while snow ploughs in Gloucestershire cleared 2ft of snow on some routes.On Wednesday, roads in parts of Wales were reportedly buried beneath 6ft (1.8m) snow drifts, while snow ploughs in Gloucestershire cleared 2ft of snow on some routes.
Yorkshire Ambulance Service reported a four-fold increase in calls on Wednesday morning.Yorkshire Ambulance Service reported a four-fold increase in calls on Wednesday morning.
Police officers in Sussex and in Derbyshire both reported handling dozens of cases of minor crashes and incidents of stranded cars blocking roads.Police officers in Sussex and in Derbyshire both reported handling dozens of cases of minor crashes and incidents of stranded cars blocking roads.
Gordon Brown has said the government is confident it will be able to "maintain the road network".Gordon Brown has said the government is confident it will be able to "maintain the road network".
He said one UK salt producer was stepping up production and imports were expected in the coming days.He said one UK salt producer was stepping up production and imports were expected in the coming days.
Risk of floodingRisk of flooding
The prime minister also pledged to review the arrangements for keeping Britain moving in severe weather.The prime minister also pledged to review the arrangements for keeping Britain moving in severe weather.
The Highways Agency and councils have already cut salt use by half - up from the 25% agreed last week - to protect supplies.The Highways Agency and councils have already cut salt use by half - up from the 25% agreed last week - to protect supplies.
And no councils in England or Wales have run out of salt, despite facing freezing conditions for a third week, according to the Local Government Association.And no councils in England or Wales have run out of salt, despite facing freezing conditions for a third week, according to the Local Government Association.
The Environment Agency said there may be an increased risk of flooding in some areas over the weekend due to predicted heavy rain and the partial thawing of snow in higher temperatures.The Environment Agency said there may be an increased risk of flooding in some areas over the weekend due to predicted heavy rain and the partial thawing of snow in higher temperatures.
It said the small amount of water from melted snow was not expected to cause significant flooding problems if it "happens steadily over many days" but with the forecast rainfall, this thawing may "happen more quickly".It said the small amount of water from melted snow was not expected to cause significant flooding problems if it "happens steadily over many days" but with the forecast rainfall, this thawing may "happen more quickly".
BBC weather forecaster Darren Bett said the only snowfall on Thursday would be in parts of Scotland, including Perthshire and Glasgow.BBC weather forecaster Darren Bett said the only snowfall on Thursday would be in parts of Scotland, including Perthshire and Glasgow.
Wales would be very cold with icy conditions, Northern Ireland dry and some rain or sleet was likely in Dorset and southern England, "adding to the icy mix", he said.Wales would be very cold with icy conditions, Northern Ireland dry and some rain or sleet was likely in Dorset and southern England, "adding to the icy mix", he said.
Temperatures for many parts would be 1 or 2C (34 or 36F), he added.Temperatures for many parts would be 1 or 2C (34 or 36F), he added.
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