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Snow expected across much of Britain | Snow expected across much of Britain |
(40 minutes later) | |
Most parts of the country are expected to see heavy snow later, bringing disruption to roads and rail. | |
Forecasters say 5-10cm (up to 4in) will fall in central, eastern and south-east England, including London, with the heaviest falls expected after dusk. | Forecasters say 5-10cm (up to 4in) will fall in central, eastern and south-east England, including London, with the heaviest falls expected after dusk. |
The Met Office has issued more than a dozen severe weather warnings, spreading across much of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. | |
Race meetings and several football matches have been cancelled. | |
The Met Office has issued amber "be prepared" snow warnings for Yorkshire and Humber, north-west England, north-east England, west and east Midlands, eastern England, south-west England, London and south-east England, Wales, Grampian, Strathclyde, Tayside and Fife, south-west Scotland and the Lothian Borders. | |
Yellow "be aware" warnings were issued for the Highlands and Northern Ireland. | |
BBC Weather forecaster Laura Gilchrist said the snow would represent the most significant falls so far this winter. | BBC Weather forecaster Laura Gilchrist said the snow would represent the most significant falls so far this winter. |
"There is potential for transport disruption," she said. | "There is potential for transport disruption," she said. |
"Before hitting the roads you should be prepared. Take shovels, warm clothes and fully charged phones. If you're travelling by rail, check the websites first." | "Before hitting the roads you should be prepared. Take shovels, warm clothes and fully charged phones. If you're travelling by rail, check the websites first." |
Salt stocks | Salt stocks |
She said a band of wet weather would move towards the east and south-east of England throughout the day, falling as snow when it hits cold air. | She said a band of wet weather would move towards the east and south-east of England throughout the day, falling as snow when it hits cold air. |
Highland areas of Scotland, most of England - apart from Devon and Cornwall - and most of inland Wales are expected to be affected. | Highland areas of Scotland, most of England - apart from Devon and Cornwall - and most of inland Wales are expected to be affected. |
Our forecaster said the highest chance of disruption would be in central and eastern England and the South East in the late afternoon and night. | Our forecaster said the highest chance of disruption would be in central and eastern England and the South East in the late afternoon and night. |
As the rain cleared away, ice would become an added danger on the roads, she added. | As the rain cleared away, ice would become an added danger on the roads, she added. |
February, traditionally the coldest month of winter, has seen daytime temperatures plunge four or five degrees lower than average over the past few days. | February, traditionally the coldest month of winter, has seen daytime temperatures plunge four or five degrees lower than average over the past few days. |
A temperature of -10.6C was recorded in Chesham, Buckinghamshire at 02:00 GMT on Saturday, and -10.3C in Benson, Oxfordshire. | A temperature of -10.6C was recorded in Chesham, Buckinghamshire at 02:00 GMT on Saturday, and -10.3C in Benson, Oxfordshire. |
The cold conditions are likely to continue into the early part of next week. | The cold conditions are likely to continue into the early part of next week. |
The Local Government Association said motorists were being advised to check the latest weather and gritting updates on council websites and "gritter Twitter" feeds. | The Local Government Association said motorists were being advised to check the latest weather and gritting updates on council websites and "gritter Twitter" feeds. |
British Gas said its engineers were on stand-by in all-weather 4x4s, and the Department for Transport said Britain's salt stocks stood at more than 2.4 million tonnes - a million more than last year. | British Gas said its engineers were on stand-by in all-weather 4x4s, and the Department for Transport said Britain's salt stocks stood at more than 2.4 million tonnes - a million more than last year. |
The charity Age UK said it was a dangerous time for older people with low temperatures raising blood pressure, which put people at greater risk of heart attacks and strokes as well as the risk of flu. | The charity Age UK said it was a dangerous time for older people with low temperatures raising blood pressure, which put people at greater risk of heart attacks and strokes as well as the risk of flu. |
In Championship football, Portsmouth and Doncaster matches on Saturday have been postponed, with pitch inspections due for other venues. | In Championship football, Portsmouth and Doncaster matches on Saturday have been postponed, with pitch inspections due for other venues. |
In League One, football matches at Bournemouth, Bury, Colchester, Charlton, Colchester, Notts County, Oldham, Preston and Scunthorpe have all been postponed. | In League One, football matches at Bournemouth, Bury, Colchester, Charlton, Colchester, Notts County, Oldham, Preston and Scunthorpe have all been postponed. |
Aldershot, Cheltenham, Crewe, Gillingham, Morecambe, Northampton, Oxford, Rotherham, Shrewsbury and Swindon in League Two are also off. | Aldershot, Cheltenham, Crewe, Gillingham, Morecambe, Northampton, Oxford, Rotherham, Shrewsbury and Swindon in League Two are also off. |
Horse racing at Ffos Las, Sandown and Wetherby on Saturday were called off. Sunday's meeting at Kempton will be subject to an inspection at 0800 GMT | Horse racing at Ffos Las, Sandown and Wetherby on Saturday were called off. Sunday's meeting at Kempton will be subject to an inspection at 0800 GMT |
Flight disruptions | Flight disruptions |
The weather warnings in Britain follow a big freeze across many parts of Europe, where temperatures have fallen as low as -30C in some parts, and scores of people have died, including more than 100 in Ukraine. | The weather warnings in Britain follow a big freeze across many parts of Europe, where temperatures have fallen as low as -30C in some parts, and scores of people have died, including more than 100 in Ukraine. |
Air travel has been disrupted, including flights from Rome and Amsterdam's Schiphol airports to UK destinations, and Saturday morning flights to Amsterdam from Birmingham, Manchester and Heathrow were cancelled or delayed. | Air travel has been disrupted, including flights from Rome and Amsterdam's Schiphol airports to UK destinations, and Saturday morning flights to Amsterdam from Birmingham, Manchester and Heathrow were cancelled or delayed. |
Due to the worsening weather in Britain, British Airways said it was allowing passengers booked on Sunday flights to re-book for flights between Monday and Thursday. | Due to the worsening weather in Britain, British Airways said it was allowing passengers booked on Sunday flights to re-book for flights between Monday and Thursday. |
While there had been no cancellations so far, a spokeswoman said the airline would assess flying conditions throughout the weekend. | While there had been no cancellations so far, a spokeswoman said the airline would assess flying conditions throughout the weekend. |
Freezing weather has led to a shortage of vital Russian gas supplies to several countries, and Italy has seen its coldest week for 27 years. | Freezing weather has led to a shortage of vital Russian gas supplies to several countries, and Italy has seen its coldest week for 27 years. |
UK weather maps: click on Key and tabs for extra detail | UK weather maps: click on Key and tabs for extra detail |
The enhanced content on this page requires Javascript and Flash Player 9 | The enhanced content on this page requires Javascript and Flash Player 9 |
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 affected by the cold weather conditions? You can send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Have you been affected by the cold weather conditions? You can send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (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 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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