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Heavy snow and ice to continue disruption across the UK Heavy snow and ice to continue disruption across the UK
(40 minutes later)
Severe weather warnings are in place for many parts of Britain, as heavy snow and freezing temperatures bring more travel chaos. Severe weather warnings are in place for many parts of the UK, as snow and freezing temperatures bring more travel chaos.
Hundreds of drivers spent much of the night stuck on the M6 in Greater Manchester after a lorry jack-knifed.Hundreds of drivers spent much of the night stuck on the M6 in Greater Manchester after a lorry jack-knifed.
And the arctic conditions threaten further disruption on the roads, railways and airports on the last and busiest weekend before Christmas. The arctic conditions threaten further disruption on the roads, railways and airports on the last weekend before Christmas.
Heavy snow is forecast in N Scotland, N Ireland, Wales and parts of England. British Airways cancelled all flights out of Heathrow between 1000 GMT and 1700 GMT.
All passengers on BA flights were advised not to travel to the airport during those times on Saturday, the airline said.
Problems were reported on several motorways overnight, including the M61, M58 and M57, as 20cm of snow fell in north-west England.Problems were reported on several motorways overnight, including the M61, M58 and M57, as 20cm of snow fell in north-west England.
Commuter Stephen Derbyshire, who was stranded on the M6 for five hours, told BBC Radio 5 live: "It is absolute mayhem."Commuter Stephen Derbyshire, who was stranded on the M6 for five hours, told BBC Radio 5 live: "It is absolute mayhem."
The M6 and M61 reopened at around 0700 GMT after junctions 22-27 and 6-8 respectively had been closed.The M6 and M61 reopened at around 0700 GMT after junctions 22-27 and 6-8 respectively had been closed.
Police have advised people not to travel unless absolutely necessary.Police have advised people not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
Easyjet cancelled all flights in and out of Gatwick Airport until 1000 GMT and expects further cancellations and delays throughout the day.Easyjet cancelled all flights in and out of Gatwick Airport until 1000 GMT and expects further cancellations and delays throughout the day.
British Airways scrapped 50 inward and 50 outward flights - all short haul - at Heathrow Airport.
A Gatwick spokesman said flights to Amsterdam, Geneva, Munich and Copenhagen had all been disrupted.A Gatwick spokesman said flights to Amsterdam, Geneva, Munich and Copenhagen had all been disrupted.
In Cardiff, staff who work at University Hospital Wales are being urged to contact their wards to see if they are able to help over the weekend because the weather has hit staffing levels.In Cardiff, staff who work at University Hospital Wales are being urged to contact their wards to see if they are able to help over the weekend because the weather has hit staffing levels.
Heavy snow is forecast in Northern Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and parts of England.
Overnight, temperatures fell as low as minus 13C in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, and minus 11C at Gatwick.Overnight, temperatures fell as low as minus 13C in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, and minus 11C at Gatwick.
Up to 10cm of snow is expected later across southern England and Wales.Up to 10cm of snow is expected later across southern England and Wales.
BBC weather forecaster Daniel Corbett said: "South-west England and the southern counties of of England will bear the brunt of this storm."BBC weather forecaster Daniel Corbett said: "South-west England and the southern counties of of England will bear the brunt of this storm."
In Northern Ireland, where conditions on Friday were said to be the worst in 25 years, the situation is expected to improve slightly with only a few snow showers expected.In Northern Ireland, where conditions on Friday were said to be the worst in 25 years, the situation is expected to improve slightly with only a few snow showers expected.
Other problems caused by the weather include:Other problems caused by the weather include:
  • Belfast International airport reopened at 0030 GMT but delays are expected
  • Rail operators Southern, Southeastern and South West Trains have cancelled some services on Saturday
  • A number of weekend football fixtures have been cancelled and the National Hunt meeting at Haydock was abandoned
  • A cannabis factory in Leicester has been exposed by the wintry weather because heat lamps inside melted the snow on its roof
  • An urgent appeal is being made for blood donors, particularly those who are O negative, as stocks are running low
  • Transport secretary Philip Hammond says distributors of heating oil are hoping to clear their delivery backlog in the next few days, following fears it may need to be rationed
Heavy snowfall during the past few weeks has caused huge disruption, especially in Scotland and north-east England.
On Friday, at least 800 schools in Wales, 500 in Scotland and 700 in Northern Ireland closed.On Friday, at least 800 schools in Wales, 500 in Scotland and 700 in Northern Ireland closed.
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.
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.
Energy Minister Charles Hendy warned on Thursday that more bad weather over Christmas could lead to "very serious" shortages of domestic heating oil.
But a spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron has played down the suggestions, saying: "I don't think that's going to happen at all.
"The position at the moment is that there is sufficient fuel. The problem is getting it around the country."
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.
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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