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Heavy snow and ice cause disruption across the UK | Heavy snow and ice cause disruption across the UK |
(30 minutes later) | |
Several UK airports have been closed and train services cancelled after heavy snowfalls in many areas. | Several UK airports have been closed and train services cancelled after heavy snowfalls in many areas. |
Motorists are being urged to take care because of ice, and police in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland are warning against non-essential travel. | Motorists are being urged to take care because of ice, and police in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland are warning against non-essential travel. |
At least 440 schools in Wales, 200 in Scotland and 220 in Northern Ireland are closed. | At least 440 schools in Wales, 200 in Scotland and 220 in Northern Ireland are closed. |
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 and temperatures will struggle to get above freezing everywhere. | |
There are also warnings of up to 20cm of snow in Orkney and Shetland, Highlands and Outer Hebrides, Grampian, Northern Ireland, Wales and south-west England on Friday. | There are also warnings of up to 20cm of snow in 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 southern England, the Midlands and southern 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: |
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Friday was due to be the last day of term in many schools, but hundreds have closed their doors early because of the weather. | 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. | More than 150 in Aberdeenshire, more than 50 in the Highlands, and at least 30 in the Western Isles are among them. |
'Absolutely awful' | '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. | 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 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." | 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 standby, 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. |
Have you been affected by the heavy snow and ice? Or by the backlog of deliveries? You can send us your experiences using the form below: | Have you been affected by the heavy snow and ice? Or by the backlog of deliveries? You can send us your experiences 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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