Cold snap extends grip across UK as more snow forecast
Snow spreading across much of UK
(about 2 hours later)
The freezing weather is set to extend its grip across the whole of the UK, with further snowfalls expected.
Fresh snow has been falling across many parts of the UK, bringing disruption to some areas not previously affected.
Some 2-5cm of snow has been falling across large parts of England and Wales overnight amid freezing temperatures.
Some 2-5cm of snow has been falling across much of England and Wales overnight amid freezing temperatures.
The snow has eased in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but warnings over icy roads and pavements have been issued.
The snow has eased in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but warnings over icy roads and pavements have been issued.
More than 1,000 schools were closed across the UK on Monday, with snow causing the most travel chaos in Scotland and the north of England.
More than 1,000 schools were closed across the UK on Monday, with snow causing the greatest travel chaos in Scotland and the north of England.
Severe weather warnings of heavy snowfall and widespread road ice have been issued across almost every part of the UK, with further, severe travel problems expected.
Up to 5cm of snow fell in the north of England overnight, with north Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Merseyside all experiencing heavy and persistent flurries.
Up to 5cm (2in) of snow fell in the north of England overnight, with North Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Merseyside all experiencing heavy and persistent flurries.
Birmingham and parts of Gloucestershire and Sussex also experienced fresh falls as the band of snow headed south.
Birmingham and parts of Gloucestershire and Sussex also experienced fresh falls as the band of snow headed south.
BBC broadcast meteorologist Alex Deakin said: "It will be bitterly cold with a bone chilling wind blowing across the whole of the country."
Temperatures reached a low of -13C in Inverness on Tuesday morning, with forecasters predicting that daytime temperatures would struggle to get above zero due to the bitter wind chill.
Travel problems
BBC broadcast meteorologist Alex Deakin said: "It will be bitterly cold with a bone-chilling wind blowing across the whole of the country."
Motorists and air passengers have faced icy conditions and long delays, with disruptions expected to continue.
Nearly 100 commuters travelling from central London to Ashford in Kent were stranded on a SouthEastern train for more than two hours with no power after the tracks froze in the sub-zero temperatures on Monday night.
The 2307 GMT service from London Victoria became stuck between Borough Green and West Malling before being towed to safety by another train.
Many roads in northern and eastern England have been affected by heavy snow.
The A169 is closed in the Whitby area because of drifting wet snow, while the M1 is down to 1 lane between junction 41-39
Main roads are impassable in Barnsley and the M18 was closed overnight after a snow-related road accident
In Cumbria the A66 remains closed, as is the A686
In Lincolnshire, the A157 Rugby to Louth is impassable
A rescue operation was launched in Lincolnshire on Monday night to free up to 60 cars stuck on a road which had become impassable.
Police and farmers worked to move the vehicles, which became trapped on a hill on the A153 near Louth.
The Local Government Association said councils had increased stockpiles of salt and grit but Aberdeenshire was rationing supplies of salt.
The council said it had used 12,000 tonnes of salt so far this year, compared with 3,500 tonnes during the same period in 2009, but it expected fresh supplies to arrive later this week.
The UK has been experiencing the earliest widespread snowfall since 1993.
Temperatures reached low of minus 13C in Inverness on Tuesday morning, with forecasters predicting that daytime temperatures would struggle to get past zero due to the bitter wind chill.
The recent cold spell has hit schools, roads, and airports, and the disruption is expected to continue on Tuesday:
Some parts of the M8, the main route between Edinburgh and Glasgow, are down to one lane. Trains between the two cities are also affected
Edinburgh Airport reopened on Tuesday morning but some flights are disrupted
Snow has also caused delays at Newcastle International Airport and passengers are advised to check with their airline
At least 50 schools in Northumberland, County Durham, and Tyne and Wear have closed
The A169 is closed in the Whitby area because of drifting snow, while the M1 is down to one lane between junction 41-39
Main roads are impassable in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and the M18 was closed overnight after a snow-related accident
In Cumbria the A66 remains closed, as is the A686
In Lincolnshire, the A157 Rugby to Louth is impassable
Nearly 100 commuters travelling from London to Kent were stranded on a train for more than two hours with no power after the tracks froze on Monday night
The 2307 GMT service from London Victoria became stuck between Borough Green and West Malling before being towed to safety by another train
A rescue operation was launched in Lincolnshire on Monday night to free up to 60 cars stuck on the A153 near Louth
The Local Government Association said councils had increased stockpiles of salt and grit but Aberdeenshire was rationing supplies of salt.
The council said it had used 12,000 tonnes of salt so far this year, compared with 3,500 tonnes during the same period in 2009, but it expected fresh supplies to arrive later this week.
Motoring organisations the AA and the RAC warned commuters to continue to take great care, even on major roads that have been gritted.
Motoring organisations the AA and the RAC warned commuters to continue to take great care, even on major roads that have been gritted.
The AA said Monday was one of its busiest in its 105-year history after being was called to more than 20,000 breakdowns.
The AA said Monday was one of its busiest in its 105-year history after being called to more than 20,000 breakdowns.
A spokesman said: "The fact we're only in the end of November and we've had what will turn out to be one of our top busiest days ever is pretty exceptional.
The UK has been experiencing the earliest widespread snowfall since 1993. The unusual weather is being caused by high pressure over Greenland and low pressure in the Baltic states, forcing cold winds from the north-east across Europe.
"No cars like these conditions and unless you do regular journeys of decent length in your car, it doesn't really give your battery much time to re-charge."
The unusual weather is being caused by high pressure over Greenland and low pressure in the Baltic states, forcing cold winds from the north-east across Europe.
Has your day been affected by the snow? Will you have to change your plans this week due to the weather? Send us your comments using the form below.
Has your day been affected by the snow? Will you have to change your plans this week due to the weather? Send us your comments using the form below.
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