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Thaw begins but flood fears rise Thaw begins but flood fears rise
(10 minutes later)
Temperatures have climbed above freezing across much of the UK, signalling the start of a thaw but giving rise to fears of flooding.Temperatures have climbed above freezing across much of the UK, signalling the start of a thaw but giving rise to fears of flooding.
Many roads remained icy on Thursday, as salt shortages limited gritting and hundreds of schools stayed shut. Snow has been limited to parts of Scotland.Many roads remained icy on Thursday, as salt shortages limited gritting and hundreds of schools stayed shut. Snow has been limited to parts of Scotland.
Forecasters say typical temperatures have been 3-4C (37-39F) but warn of slush refreezing overnight.Forecasters say typical temperatures have been 3-4C (37-39F) but warn of slush refreezing overnight.
The British Red Cross has urged people to prepare for flooding.The British Red Cross has urged people to prepare for flooding.
The Met Office says weekend heavy rain could cause flooding in places.The Met Office says weekend heavy rain could cause flooding in places.
"Heavy rain will move in from the west accompanied by strong to gale-force winds," it says, adding that up to 25mm (1in) of rainfall is likely."Heavy rain will move in from the west accompanied by strong to gale-force winds," it says, adding that up to 25mm (1in) of rainfall is likely.
An Environment Agency spokesman 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 due to slightly higher temperatures."An Environment Agency spokesman 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 due to slightly higher temperatures."
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 Councils ignored cheap road salt BBC Local: Check your areaWEATHER 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 Councils ignored cheap road salt BBC Local: Check your area
Martin Annis, head of emergency planning at the British Red Cross, said the warning should be taken seriously.Martin Annis, head of emergency planning at the British Red Cross, said the warning should be taken seriously.
"We know from our experience in Cockermouth and from the floods in 2007 that a few simple acts can make all the difference," he said."We know from our experience in Cockermouth and from the floods in 2007 that a few simple acts can make all the difference," he said.
"We urge people to observe simple tips when preparing, such as packing essential items and documents they will need if evacuated, preparing an emergency kit with water and first aid pack; as well as keeping a regular check of TV and radio updates.""We urge people to observe simple tips when preparing, such as packing essential items and documents they will need if evacuated, preparing an emergency kit with water and first aid pack; as well as keeping a regular check of TV and radio updates."
Milder weather helped the UK's transport network get back to normal on Thursday, after a day of delays and cancellations on railways and at airports.Milder weather helped the UK's transport network get back to normal on Thursday, after a day of delays and cancellations on railways and at airports.
Runways at London City, Birmingham International, Southampton and Cardiff airports were all open, having been closed for snow clearance for part of Wednesday.Runways at London City, Birmingham International, Southampton and Cardiff airports were all open, having been closed for snow clearance for part of Wednesday.
However, Gatwick - where flights had been suspended for 12 hours - was experiencing knock-on delays on Thursday.However, Gatwick - where flights had been suspended for 12 hours - was experiencing knock-on delays on Thursday.
National Rail said most train operators were running normal timetables again, although disruptions still affected East Coast services in Scotland and between Leeds and London.National Rail said most train operators were running normal timetables again, although disruptions still affected East Coast services in Scotland and between Leeds and London.
TransPennine Express was operating replacement buses in north-east England and four Eurostar services were cancelled.TransPennine Express was operating replacement buses in north-east England and four Eurostar services were cancelled.
The day began with Met Office warnings of treacherous roads and police reporting black ice in several areas.The day began with Met Office warnings of treacherous roads and police reporting black ice in several areas.
The Highways Agency and councils have cut their use of salt for gritting roads by half - up from the 25% agreed last week - to protect supplies.The Highways Agency and councils have cut their use of salt for gritting roads by half - up from the 25% agreed last week - to protect supplies.
Councillors in Leeds and neighbouring Kirklees warned they had less than two days' supply of salt left, while private salt firm Grittit has brought in security guards after 75 tonnes of material was taken from its depots nationwide.Councillors in Leeds and neighbouring Kirklees warned they had less than two days' supply of salt left, while private salt firm Grittit has brought in security guards after 75 tonnes of material was taken from its depots nationwide.
However, the Highways Agency reported "business as usual" on major routes in England.However, the Highways Agency reported "business as usual" on major routes in England.
School closuresSchool closures
A number of roads in the Highlands remained closed because of snow, along with several routes over high ground in Wales, the A66 in Cumbria and the A628 in Derbyshire.A number of roads in the Highlands remained closed because of snow, along with several routes over high ground in Wales, the A66 in Cumbria and the A628 in Derbyshire.
Fresh snow swept through southern Scotland, shutting some schools and leaving some roads in the Borders passable only with care.Fresh snow swept through southern Scotland, shutting some schools and leaving some roads in the Borders passable only with care.
Most schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were open for students sitting A-level, AS-level and GCSE exams.Most schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were open for students sitting A-level, AS-level and GCSE exams.
However, many were closed to other pupils. In West Yorkshire, 200 shut. Across Wales, at least 440 closed - mainly in the Valleys.However, many were closed to other pupils. In West Yorkshire, 200 shut. Across Wales, at least 440 closed - mainly in the Valleys.
Exams watchdog Ofqual said it had not been informed of any centres being unable to hold exams, although some may have made alternative arrangements such as switching pupils to alternative venues or estimating grades.Exams watchdog Ofqual said it had not been informed of any centres being unable to hold exams, although some may have made alternative arrangements such as switching pupils to alternative venues or estimating grades.
Trucks have been queuing to collect de-icing salt for councils across the UKTrucks have been queuing to collect de-icing salt for councils across the UK
Freezing conditions have caused water pipes to split in many regions. Yorkshire Water has been taking 160 calls a day about the problem and has 75 teams repairing them.Freezing conditions have caused water pipes to split in many regions. Yorkshire Water has been taking 160 calls a day about the problem and has 75 teams repairing them.
Meanwhile, rescue teams in Snowdonia have warned about the dangers of avalanches after 500 tonnes of snow slid down a mountainside near Aber Falls.Meanwhile, rescue teams in Snowdonia have warned about the dangers of avalanches after 500 tonnes of snow slid down a mountainside near Aber Falls.
BBC weather forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said that while temperatures were typically 3-4C across Britain, they were closer to freezing on high ground.BBC weather forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said that while temperatures were typically 3-4C across Britain, they were closer to freezing on high ground.
He said icy conditions and any sleet and snow across northern Britain on Friday morning would be short-lived, with temperatures rising to 5C (41F).He said icy conditions and any sleet and snow across northern Britain on Friday morning would be short-lived, with temperatures rising to 5C (41F).
A "wet, very windy day with gales" will follow on Saturday, he added.A "wet, very windy day with gales" will follow on Saturday, he added.
However, he warned that colder weather could return next week.However, he warned that colder weather could return next week.
The AA predicts the thaw will reveal a 30% increase in the usual number of potholes. Councils spent £67m filling in almost 1m last year, figures suggest.The AA predicts the thaw will reveal a 30% increase in the usual number of potholes. Councils spent £67m filling in almost 1m last year, figures suggest.
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