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Rush hour warning as freeze bites Heavy snow and ice cause disruption across the UK
(40 minutes later)
Several UK airports have been closed and train services cancelled after heavy snowfalls in many areas.
Temperatures have plummeted overnight across the UK with widespread ice set to cause dangerous driving conditions. Motorists are also being warned to take extra care because of widespread ice, and police in northern Scotland are advising against all travel.
Heavy snow and high winds produced blizzards across much of northern Scotland and police in the Highlands are advising against all travel. At least 440 schools in Wales, 200 in Scotland and 220 in Northern Ireland are closed.
Flights at several UK airports are suspended, hundreds of schools are closed and trains are disrupted.
More snow is forecast later and on Saturday, with up to 25cm (10in) in Wales and southern and central England.More snow is forecast later and on Saturday, with up to 25cm (10in) in Wales and southern and central England.
Energy Minister Charles Hendry has warned that more bad weather over Christmas could lead to "very serious" shortages of domestic heating oil.Energy Minister Charles Hendry has warned that more bad weather over Christmas could lead to "very serious" shortages of domestic heating oil.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for widespread icy roads for the whole of the UK.The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for widespread icy roads for the whole of the UK.
There are also heavy snow warnings for Orkney and Shetland, Highlands and Outer Hebrides, Grampian, Northern Ireland, Wales and south-west England on Friday.There are also heavy snow warnings for Orkney and Shetland, Highlands and Outer Hebrides, Grampian, Northern Ireland, Wales and south-west England on Friday.
By Saturday, another band of heavy snow is forecast to affect much of England and Wales, with 5 to 10cm likely in many places and 20 to 25cm possible in some others.By Saturday, another band of heavy snow is forecast to affect much of England and Wales, with 5 to 10cm likely in many places and 20 to 25cm possible in some others.
Problems caused by the weather include:Problems caused by the weather include:
  • Several major roads, including a 50-mile stretch of the A9 in Scotland, are blocked by snow
  • Police say conditions have been "particularly atrocious" in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, and some motorists had to be rescued from their cars after becoming stranded
  • Aberdeen, Inverness, Norwich, Exeter, Belfast City and Belfast International airports are closed and disruption is likely elsewhere
  • ScotRail, and Arriva and Virgin train services in Wales are experiencing delays and cancellations
  • More than 150 schools are closed or partially closed in Aberdeenshire, more than 50 are closed in the Highlands, and at least 30 are closed in the Western Isles
  • At least 440 schools are closed in Wales
    •
'Absolutely awful'
  • Several major roads, including a 50-mile stretch of the A9 in Scotland, are blocked by snow
  • Police say conditions have been "particularly atrocious" in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, and some motorists had to be rescued from their cars after becoming stranded
  • Aberdeen, Inverness, Norwich, Exeter, Belfast City and Belfast International airports are closed and disruption is likely elsewhere
  • ScotRail, and Arriva and Virgin train services in Wales are experiencing delays and cancellations
New Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown has insisted Scotland was "very well prepared" and the authorities are doing all they could to keep trunk roads open. Friday was due to be the last day of term in many schools, but hundreds have closed their doors early because of the weather.
More than 150 in Aberdeenshire, more than 50 in the Highlands, and at least 30 in the Western Isles are among them.
'Absolutely awful'
New Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown has insisted Scotland is "very well prepared" and the authorities are doing all they can to keep trunk roads open.
But the BBC has been contacted by people in the Aberdeen area who have reported atrocious road conditions.But the BBC has been contacted by people in the Aberdeen area who have reported atrocious road conditions.
Motorist Kirsty McCullough said: "It took me nearly fours hours to do a four-mile round-trip. It's absolutely awful, the roads are sheet ice. They've not been gritted at all." Motorist Kirsty McCullough said: "It took me nearly four hours to do a four-mile round-trip. It's absolutely awful, the roads are sheet ice. They've not been gritted at all."
Mr Brown's predecessor Stewart Stevenson resigned after his department was criticised for its handling of the problems caused by the previous bout of severe weather.Mr Brown's predecessor Stewart Stevenson resigned after his department was criticised for its handling of the problems caused by the previous bout of severe weather.
Motoring organisation the AA said it had extra patrols on stand-by, while Network Rail said it had "snow teams in place" and would be "keeping equipment in strategic locations". Motoring organisation the AA said it had extra patrols on standby, while Network Rail said it had "snow teams in place" and would be "keeping equipment in strategic locations".
Heavy snowfall during the past few weeks has caused huge disruption, especially in Scotland and north-east England.Heavy snowfall during the past few weeks has caused huge disruption, especially in Scotland and north-east England.
Airports, roads and schools were closed, and companies are now warning of a backlog of deliveries which may not reach customers before Christmas.Airports, roads and schools were closed, and companies are now warning of a backlog of deliveries which may not reach customers before Christmas.
The Royal Mail is putting on 7,000 delivery rounds this Sunday in a bid to ease the problem.The Royal Mail is putting on 7,000 delivery rounds this Sunday in a bid to ease the problem.
Are you affected by the snowy conditions? Are you waiting for parcels or online orders? Are you a business? Contact us using the form belowAre you affected by the snowy conditions? Are you waiting for parcels or online orders? Are you a business? Contact us using the form below
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