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More snow and ice as UK awaits another freezing night | More snow and ice as UK awaits another freezing night |
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Another night of sub-zero temperatures lies ahead, with northern Scotland and eastern England expecting fresh snow. | Another night of sub-zero temperatures lies ahead, with northern Scotland and eastern England expecting fresh snow. |
Forecasters predict Cumbria and central Scotland will see lows of around -12C (10F), while Met Office icy roads warnings affect much of the UK. | Forecasters predict Cumbria and central Scotland will see lows of around -12C (10F), while Met Office icy roads warnings affect much of the UK. |
Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond has called on people to help neighbours by clearing icy side roads. | Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond has called on people to help neighbours by clearing icy side roads. |
After the Army was asked to clear snow from Edinburgh's streets, David Cameron said the military "stands ready". | After the Army was asked to clear snow from Edinburgh's streets, David Cameron said the military "stands ready". |
Severe weather warnings for heavy snow remain in place for the far north of Scotland, with icy road alerts affecting all Scottish regions, Northern Ireland, the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber. | Severe weather warnings for heavy snow remain in place for the far north of Scotland, with icy road alerts affecting all Scottish regions, Northern Ireland, the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber. |
BBC weather forecaster Rob McElwee said there could also be a potential ice risk overnight in north Cornwall and west Devon, as well as a severe frost inland. | BBC weather forecaster Rob McElwee said there could also be a potential ice risk overnight in north Cornwall and west Devon, as well as a severe frost inland. |
Forecasters predict temperatures will rise on Thursday. However, that could present the problem of drizzle falling on frozen surfaces and leaving them treacherously icy when the air cools - particularly in Wales and the western side of England. | Forecasters predict temperatures will rise on Thursday. However, that could present the problem of drizzle falling on frozen surfaces and leaving them treacherously icy when the air cools - particularly in Wales and the western side of England. |
Roads in Scotland have been getting back to normal. The M8, which links Edinburgh and Glasgow, reopened after two days on Wednesday afternoon. | |
It was among a number of major routes in the busy central belt hit by snow, which forced hundreds of people to abandon their cars. | It was among a number of major routes in the busy central belt hit by snow, which forced hundreds of people to abandon their cars. |
Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson told MSPs he accepted responsibility for the chaos. | Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson told MSPs he accepted responsibility for the chaos. |
However, he shrugged off opposition calls for his resignation by saying the government was faced with "exceptional circumstances". | However, he shrugged off opposition calls for his resignation by saying the government was faced with "exceptional circumstances". |
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Mr Hammond said councils had to make choices about which roads to grit but could provide salt to allow the public to clear residential streets. | Mr Hammond said councils had to make choices about which roads to grit but could provide salt to allow the public to clear residential streets. |
"In many cases people would like to have the opportunity to have access to grit and salt supplies so that on roads that are not on the council's gritting route they can... make the pavements a bit easier, make it a bit easier for them to get out of their driveways," he told BBC Breakfast. | "In many cases people would like to have the opportunity to have access to grit and salt supplies so that on roads that are not on the council's gritting route they can... make the pavements a bit easier, make it a bit easier for them to get out of their driveways," he told BBC Breakfast. |
"People have always dug their way out of their own driveways... and I would encourage people who are able to do that kind of thing to continue doing it for themselves and for neighbours who are perhaps less able to." | "People have always dug their way out of their own driveways... and I would encourage people who are able to do that kind of thing to continue doing it for themselves and for neighbours who are perhaps less able to." |
He said the government had recently put together a "common sense" code of practice which, if followed, should protect the public from legal action as a result of attempting to clear snow. | He said the government had recently put together a "common sense" code of practice which, if followed, should protect the public from legal action as a result of attempting to clear snow. |
'Good neighbours' | 'Good neighbours' |
However, he said there was no need in England for the Army to be called in because councils were still able to call contractors if they needed help clearing roads. | However, he said there was no need in England for the Army to be called in because councils were still able to call contractors if they needed help clearing roads. |
Prime Minister David Cameron told the Commons the military "stands ready to help" but urged people to be "good neighbours" as the icy grip took hold of the UK. | Prime Minister David Cameron told the Commons the military "stands ready to help" but urged people to be "good neighbours" as the icy grip took hold of the UK. |
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond had earlier told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the Army had helped emergency services on Monday and that Edinburgh Council had requested personnel help clear roads. | Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond had earlier told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the Army had helped emergency services on Monday and that Edinburgh Council had requested personnel help clear roads. |
Voluntary groups and offenders serving community sentences were already helping out, he said. | Voluntary groups and offenders serving community sentences were already helping out, he said. |
"You would expect us in extraordinary circumstances... to use every facility to help people," he added. | "You would expect us in extraordinary circumstances... to use every facility to help people," he added. |
The AA said it had responded to more than 230,000 incidents since the first widespread snow on 24 November - a 93% increase on the same period last year. | The AA said it had responded to more than 230,000 incidents since the first widespread snow on 24 November - a 93% increase on the same period last year. |
The RAC said it had received 50% more call-outs than normal. | The RAC said it had received 50% more call-outs than normal. |
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Map Key
FogLight HeavyFrostLight HeavyPressure FrontsCold Warm OccludedRainLight Heavy ExtremeSnowLight Heavy | Map Key
FogLight HeavyFrostLight HeavyPressure FrontsCold Warm OccludedRainLight Heavy ExtremeSnowLight Heavy |
Temperature tab only | Temperature tab only |
Temperature (°C)More details from BBC Weather | Temperature (°C)More details from BBC Weather |
Have you been stuck in the snow overnight? How did you cope? Has your business been affected? Are you still able to go out and buy food? Send us your pictures and comments using the form below. | Have you been stuck in the snow overnight? How did you cope? Has your business been affected? Are you still able to go out and buy food? 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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