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Fresh snow brings school closures Fresh snow brings school closures
(40 minutes later)
Thousands of schoolchildren are enjoying a day off, with fresh falls of heavy snow affecting parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England.Thousands of schoolchildren are enjoying a day off, with fresh falls of heavy snow affecting parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England.
Some 900 schools are shut in Scotland, where a third of councils closed all sites, along with 650 in Northern Ireland and about 70 in Cumbria.Some 900 schools are shut in Scotland, where a third of councils closed all sites, along with 650 in Northern Ireland and about 70 in Cumbria.
Temperatures remain sub-zero UK-wide, having hit -15C overnight in Scotland. UK temperatures remain sub-zero, after overnight Scottish lows of -17C (1F).
The Met Office is warning of icy roads across much of the UK. Central Scotland police advise essential journeys only.The Met Office is warning of icy roads across much of the UK. Central Scotland police advise essential journeys only.
Scotland's Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson has apologised after hundreds of drivers were stranded overnight, with the central belt particularly badly hit by snow.Scotland's Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson has apologised after hundreds of drivers were stranded overnight, with the central belt particularly badly hit by snow.
Meanwhile, 150 pupils, parents and staff were forced to spend the night in a South Lanarkshire school. Meanwhile, 150 pupils, parents and staff were forced to spend the night in a South Lanarkshire school.
Commuters have been enduring another day of travel disruption:Commuters have been enduring another day of travel disruption:
  • Belfast International and href="http://www.londoncityairport.com/" >London City airports warn of delays and cancellations in fog and freezing weather
  • Glasgow and Edinburgh airports are open but passengers are advised to check with their airline
    •
  • On the railways, Scotland's routes are all affected. Many are without trains - or replacement buses - altogether
  • Services in and out of London's Liverpool Street were delayed by up to 45 minutes station during the morning peak
  • Reduced services are operating on the East Coast Mainline, while several local services in Yorkshire were disrupted
  • Transport Scotland warns motorists not to travel unless "absolutely essential"
Many drivers were stuck overnight on the M8 after heavy snow caused severe disruption to the route that links Glasgow with Edinburgh.Many drivers were stuck overnight on the M8 after heavy snow caused severe disruption to the route that links Glasgow with Edinburgh.
Traffic was also brought to a standstill on the M80, which runs through central Scotland, with drivers advised to stay with their vehicles.Traffic was also brought to a standstill on the M80, which runs through central Scotland, with drivers advised to stay with their vehicles.
Among them was Alan Towle, who set out on a journey from work that normally takes 45 minutes at 1500 GMT on Monday, only to arrive home nine hours later.Among them was Alan Towle, who set out on a journey from work that normally takes 45 minutes at 1500 GMT on Monday, only to arrive home nine hours later.
"It was pretty horrific... an absolute farce. There was no evidence of anyone official doing anything," he said."It was pretty horrific... an absolute farce. There was no evidence of anyone official doing anything," he said.
"Police should have been helping gritters and ploughs clear both lanes on the opposite carriage to get smaller vehicles moving.""Police should have been helping gritters and ploughs clear both lanes on the opposite carriage to get smaller vehicles moving."
Forecast queryForecast query
Mr Stevenson told BBC Radio Scotland the authorities had been caught out by the severity of the weather yesterday but queried the advice given by the government's forecasters, which he said differed from that of other experts.Mr Stevenson told BBC Radio Scotland the authorities had been caught out by the severity of the weather yesterday but queried the advice given by the government's forecasters, which he said differed from that of other experts.
"We prepared for one set of weather yesterday morning - we had weather greater than we were ready for.""We prepared for one set of weather yesterday morning - we had weather greater than we were ready for."
He insisted staff had been making "quite heroic efforts", but added: "Today we're now facing temperatures so low that salt is no longer working on the network.He insisted staff had been making "quite heroic efforts", but added: "Today we're now facing temperatures so low that salt is no longer working on the network.
"We've actually seen snowploughs damaged by the solidity of the ice on the M8.""We've actually seen snowploughs damaged by the solidity of the ice on the M8."
The heavy snow across Scotland and Northern Ireland has cleared southwards and there are Met Office severe weather warnings for snow across parts of north-west England into Tuesday morning. Temperatures were recorded as having dropped as low as -17C overnight in Strathallan, near Perth, and -14C (7F) at Sennybridge in Powys and Castlederg, Tyrone, and Scampton, Lincolnshire.
BBC weather forecaster Matt Taylor said ice would be a more widespread problem across the UK. BBC forecaster Jay Wynne said icy roads would be a problem, particularly in Northern Ireland and the central lowlands of Scotland.
Cumbria and northern Lancashire could see 2-5cm (1-2in) of snow during Tuesday, while dense freezing fog would linger across the Midlands and southern England, he added.
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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
Are you affected by the snow? Have your travel plans been disrupted? How is your community reacting? Send us your pictures and comments using the form below.Are you affected by the snow? Have your travel plans been disrupted? How is your community reacting? Send us your pictures and comments using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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