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Ice warnings for many parts of UK Ice warnings for many parts of UK
(40 minutes later)
Warnings of widespread ice are in place for many parts of the UK, and forecasters say it will continue to be the major problem into the weekend.Warnings of widespread ice are in place for many parts of the UK, and forecasters say it will continue to be the major problem into the weekend.
Rain, sleet or snow will hit most areas and freeze in the sub-zero temperatures. In some places, daytime temperatures have plunged to -8C.Rain, sleet or snow will hit most areas and freeze in the sub-zero temperatures. In some places, daytime temperatures have plunged to -8C.
The weather has continued to cause disruption, with some train services cancelled and many flights delayed.The weather has continued to cause disruption, with some train services cancelled and many flights delayed.
Two pensioners have been found dead in their gardens in Cumbria this week.Two pensioners have been found dead in their gardens in Cumbria this week.
Officers said it appeared 80-year-old Lillian Jenkinson, who was found dead in Workington on Wednesday morning, might have fallen in her garden in freezing conditions.Officers said it appeared 80-year-old Lillian Jenkinson, who was found dead in Workington on Wednesday morning, might have fallen in her garden in freezing conditions.
On Tuesday, an elderly man was found dead in his garden in Kirkby Stephen, and police - who are urging people to look out for each other in the cold weather - are trying to work out whether a fall or a medical condition may have contributed to his death.On Tuesday, an elderly man was found dead in his garden in Kirkby Stephen, and police - who are urging people to look out for each other in the cold weather - are trying to work out whether a fall or a medical condition may have contributed to his death.
Meanwhile, a 57-year-old man died after he was hit by a Land Rover Freelander which skidded on ice on the A6108 at Bellerby, North Yorkshire.Meanwhile, a 57-year-old man died after he was hit by a Land Rover Freelander which skidded on ice on the A6108 at Bellerby, North Yorkshire.
The victim had gone to the aid of a driver whose car had crashed. The victim had gone to help a driver whose car had crashed.
School closuresSchool closures
There are severe warnings of heavy snow for parts of central and eastern Scotland, Wales and north-west England. Snow showers have eased in many areas but the href="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/uk_forecast_warnings.html" >Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for heavy snow for Cumbria and parts of south and mid-Wales. Between 5-10cm (2-4in) of snow are likely over the hills.
Gatwick Airport has reopened but delays remain. Southern and Southeastern rail have reduced services, trains in East Yorkshire are cancelled, and there are virtually no services north of Glasgow.Gatwick Airport has reopened but delays remain. Southern and Southeastern rail have reduced services, trains in East Yorkshire are cancelled, and there are virtually no services north of Glasgow.
Many schools are closed again in Scotland - including all schools in Fife, East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian, North Lanarkshire and the Borders - and more than 2,000 are closed in England.Many schools are closed again in Scotland - including all schools in Fife, East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian, North Lanarkshire and the Borders - and more than 2,000 are closed in England.
Several rail services in England and Scotland are either cancelled or severely disrupted, and drivers are again warned of icy roads.Several rail services in England and Scotland are either cancelled or severely disrupted, and drivers are again warned of icy roads.
Snow showers in many areas have eased but the Met Office is now warning of heavy snow in some areas. The warnings for Scotland apply to Strathclyde and Central, Tayside and Fife, while there are icy road warnings for Orkney and Shetland, the Highlands, and the South West, Lothian and Borders.Snow showers in many areas have eased but the Met Office is now warning of heavy snow in some areas. The warnings for Scotland apply to Strathclyde and Central, Tayside and Fife, while there are icy road warnings for Orkney and Shetland, the Highlands, and the South West, Lothian and Borders.
In England, as well as heavy snow forecast for the North West, there are warning of widespread icy roads across whole swathes of the country including the Midlands, the east of England, London and the South East, and the South West. There are similar warnings for Northern Ireland, and heavy snow and ice in Wales.In England, as well as heavy snow forecast for the North West, there are warning of widespread icy roads across whole swathes of the country including the Midlands, the east of England, London and the South East, and the South West. There are similar warnings for Northern Ireland, and heavy snow and ice in Wales.
Overnight, temperatures fell as low as -20C in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, -16C at Aberdeen airport and -15C in Edinburgh.Overnight, temperatures fell as low as -20C in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, -16C at Aberdeen airport and -15C in Edinburgh.
Both Manchester airport and Yeovil recorded -10C. The thermometer at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire was showing -17.9C on Friday morning, making it the coldest night recorded at the station since records began in 1945. The daytime temperature at Leeming was -8C.Both Manchester airport and Yeovil recorded -10C. The thermometer at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire was showing -17.9C on Friday morning, making it the coldest night recorded at the station since records began in 1945. The daytime temperature at Leeming was -8C.
Areas such as Northern Ireland, western Scotland and north-west England are set to be the next affected by snow during the course of Friday. Drivers in Wales have been warned about icy roads and freezing fog, with outbreaks of snow and sleet in all areas.Areas such as Northern Ireland, western Scotland and north-west England are set to be the next affected by snow during the course of Friday. Drivers in Wales have been warned about icy roads and freezing fog, with outbreaks of snow and sleet in all areas.
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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
In East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, heavy snowfall and icy conditions are causing problems on the roads and on public transport. At Brough, 23cm (9in) of snow fell overnight, blocking many roads.In East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, heavy snowfall and icy conditions are causing problems on the roads and on public transport. At Brough, 23cm (9in) of snow fell overnight, blocking many roads.
The Independent Petrol Retailers Association claimed that up to 500 independent petrol retailers in Scotland and the east of England risked running out of petrol and diesel by the weekend. Filling stations in rural areas away from the main trunk roads were particularly vulnerable, it added.The Independent Petrol Retailers Association claimed that up to 500 independent petrol retailers in Scotland and the east of England risked running out of petrol and diesel by the weekend. Filling stations in rural areas away from the main trunk roads were particularly vulnerable, it added.
The easing of snow showers meant Gatwick Airport reopened on Friday morning, although major delays and cancellations were expected to continue to cause headaches for travellers. Smaller regional airports were closed on Friday morning, including Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster, which is now closed until Sunday.The easing of snow showers meant Gatwick Airport reopened on Friday morning, although major delays and cancellations were expected to continue to cause headaches for travellers. Smaller regional airports were closed on Friday morning, including Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster, which is now closed until Sunday.
A statement on Gatwick's website said: "Our advice to passengers remains - do not travel to the airport without first checking with your airline to make sure that your flight is departing today.A statement on Gatwick's website said: "Our advice to passengers remains - do not travel to the airport without first checking with your airline to make sure that your flight is departing today.
"Passengers should expect delays and cancellations and it is likely to take a few days before flight schedules return to normal. Train services to and from the airport continue to be limited and road networks are likely to remain severely affected by the weather.""Passengers should expect delays and cancellations and it is likely to take a few days before flight schedules return to normal. Train services to and from the airport continue to be limited and road networks are likely to remain severely affected by the weather."
In other developments:In other developments:
  • Southern trains, which operates in south London, along the south coast and between central London and the south coast, said it would be operating a revised timetable on Friday - with half-hourly services in most cases.
  • Southeastern trains, which runs out of London Victoria and Charing Cross into Kent and the south-east, said it was operating an extremely limited number of services from an emergency timetable
  • National Rail Enquiries has set up a hotline for information about snow-related disruption on 08453 017 641, and also has updates at @nationalrailenq on Twitter
  • Police forces in Kent and Surrey continued to advise drivers to travel only if necessary as the low temperatures turned snow into ice
  • Eurostar said its timetable would be significantly reduced, with cancellations and delays, until Sunday
  • No trains are running between Cleethorpes and Doncaster, Lincoln and Grimsby and between Lincoln and Doncaster. The line from Bridlington to Scarborough is still blocked.
  • Several airports were closed on Friday morning - Guernsey Airport has now resumed flights; Southampton Airport until at least 1300 GMT; Robin Hood Airport, in Doncaster, until 1000 GMT on Sunday. Bournemouth Airport was also closed on Friday morning, with an estimated re-opening time of 1400 GMT. Humberside Airport re-opened at 0930 GMT.
  • More than 800 schools are closed across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight, more than 300 in East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, more than 500 in Essex, around 500 in Kent, more than 200 in Surrey, and more than 250 across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham. In Derbyshire more than 230 schools remained shut, and more than 300 in Nottinghamshire.
  • Southern trains, which operates in south London, along the south coast and between central London and the south coast, said it would be operating a revised timetable on Friday - with half-hourly services in most cases.
  • Southeastern trains, which runs out of London Victoria and Charing Cross into Kent and the south-east, said it was operating an extremely limited number of services from an emergency timetable
  • National Rail Enquiries has set up a hotline for information about snow-related disruption on 08453 017 641, and also has updates at @nationalrailenq on Twitter
  • Police forces in Kent and Surrey continued to advise drivers to travel only if necessary as the low temperatures turned snow into ice
  • Eurostar said its timetable would be significantly reduced, with cancellations and delays, until Sunday
  • No trains are running between Cleethorpes and Doncaster, Lincoln and Grimsby and between Lincoln and Doncaster. The line from Bridlington to Scarborough is still blocked.
  • Several airports were closed on Friday morning - Guernsey Airport has now resumed flights; Southampton Airport until at least 1300 GMT; Robin Hood Airport, in Doncaster, until 1000 GMT on Sunday. Bournemouth Airport was also closed on Friday morning, with an estimated re-opening time of 1400 GMT. Humberside Airport re-opened at 0930 GMT.
  • More than 800 schools are closed across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight, more than 300 in East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, more than 500 in Essex, around 500 in Kent, more than 200 in Surrey, and more than 250 across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham. In Derbyshire more than 230 schools remained shut, and more than 300 in Nottinghamshire.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond told the BBC the travel problems were not caused by a lack of grit.Transport Secretary Philip Hammond told the BBC the travel problems were not caused by a lack of grit.
He said there were a million tonnes of salt in local authority depots, a further quarter of a million tonnes in Highways Agency depots, and about 150,000 tonnes on their way to the UK over the next five or six weeks.He said there were a million tonnes of salt in local authority depots, a further quarter of a million tonnes in Highways Agency depots, and about 150,000 tonnes on their way to the UK over the next five or six weeks.
"We have massive supplies of salt, there is no shortage of salt. If local authorities are not gritting minor roads, residential roads, pavements, that is because they've taken a decision not to grit those roads and pavements."We have massive supplies of salt, there is no shortage of salt. If local authorities are not gritting minor roads, residential roads, pavements, that is because they've taken a decision not to grit those roads and pavements.
"No local authority has contacted us, and asked us for access to the strategic stockpile, and if they do, we have supplies ready to make available to them.""No local authority has contacted us, and asked us for access to the strategic stockpile, and if they do, we have supplies ready to make available to them."
On Thursday Mr Hammond told the Commons he was doing everything he could to keep Britain moving, but his Labour shadow Maria Eagle accused him of "complacency".On Thursday Mr Hammond told the Commons he was doing everything he could to keep Britain moving, but his Labour shadow Maria Eagle accused him of "complacency".
The government said that "challenging" road conditions were making it difficult to supply fuel to some areas - even though the refineries themselves were operating without major disruption.The government said that "challenging" road conditions were making it difficult to supply fuel to some areas - even though the refineries themselves were operating without major disruption.
Mr Hammond said he had heard "far too many stories" of rail passengers being unable to obtain information about train services.Mr Hammond said he had heard "far too many stories" of rail passengers being unable to obtain information about train services.
The transport secretary has written to the train companies to remind them of their responsibilities, but he has played down suggestions that the firms could be punished with fines for their performance during the cold spell.The transport secretary has written to the train companies to remind them of their responsibilities, but he has played down suggestions that the firms could be punished with fines for their performance during the cold spell.
Anthony Smith, chief executive of rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus, said some passengers had been "badly let down" by the rail industry's handling of the severe weather disruption.Anthony Smith, chief executive of rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus, said some passengers had been "badly let down" by the rail industry's handling of the severe weather disruption.
But he added: "Fining train companies would only take money out of the railway pot to passengers' detriment."But he added: "Fining train companies would only take money out of the railway pot to passengers' detriment."
An active search by mountain rescue team volunteers for missing fell walker Gwenda Merriot, 60, from Wiltshire, has ended, but posters are being put up and hotels and B&Bs are being contacted.An active search by mountain rescue team volunteers for missing fell walker Gwenda Merriot, 60, from Wiltshire, has ended, but posters are being put up and hotels and B&Bs are being contacted.
She was last seen in Ambleside in the Lake District on Wednesday morning and there has been heavy snowfall since then.She was last seen in Ambleside in the Lake District on Wednesday morning and there has been heavy snowfall since then.
Have you noticed any problems arising from the cold weather? Has your business been affected? Send us your pictures and comments using the form below.Have you noticed any problems arising from the cold weather? Has your business been affected? Send us your pictures and comments using the form below.
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