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Snow expected across much of Britain Snow expected across much of Britain
(40 minutes later)
Most parts of the UK are due to see heavy snow later, bringing disruption to roads, rail and air travel.Most parts of the UK are due to see heavy snow later, bringing disruption to roads, rail and air travel.
Forecasters say 5-10cm (up to 4in) will fall in central, eastern and southern England, including London, with the heaviest falls expected after dusk.Forecasters say 5-10cm (up to 4in) will fall in central, eastern and southern 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.The Met Office has issued more than a dozen severe weather warnings, spreading across much of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
BAA has cancelled one-third of Sunday's flights from Heathrow Airport.BAA has cancelled one-third of Sunday's flights from Heathrow Airport.
Heathrow's chief operating officer Normand Boivin said the decision to introduce a revised flight schedule before snow had fallen was taken in an effort to minimise disruption to passengers.Heathrow's chief operating officer Normand Boivin said the decision to introduce a revised flight schedule before snow had fallen was taken in an effort to minimise disruption to passengers.
A list of which flights will operate will be available on the Heathrow website from around 1800 GMT on Saturday.A list of which flights will operate will be available on the Heathrow website from around 1800 GMT on Saturday.
Passengers are advised to contact their airline for more information. Passengers at London Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted are advised to contact their airline for more information.
Sporting postponements
Air travel has already been disrupted across the whole of Europe - 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 already been disrupted across the whole of Europe - 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 conditions, British Airways says it will allow passengers booked on Sunday flights to re-book for journeys between Monday and Thursday.Due to the worsening conditions, British Airways says it will allow passengers booked on Sunday flights to re-book for journeys between Monday and Thursday.
A spokeswoman said the airline would assess flying conditions throughout the weekend.A spokeswoman said the airline would assess flying conditions throughout the weekend.
Sporting fixtures have been badly affected, with many football and race meetings cancelled.Sporting fixtures have been badly affected, with many football and race meetings 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.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.Yellow "be aware" warnings were issued for the Highlands and Northern Ireland.
Ice danger
Light snow flurries began falling in Manchester around midday, leaving a covering over rooftops.Light snow flurries began falling in Manchester around midday, leaving a covering over rooftops.
BBC Weather forecaster Laura Gilchrist said Saturday's snow would represent the most significant fall so far this winter. Forecasters say there is potential for transport disruption and warn motorists to take shovels, warm clothes and fully charged phones.
"There is potential for transport disruption," she said. BBC forecaster Lousie Lear said a band of wet weather would fall as snow as it moved south and east through England, with the bulk falling after Saturday teatime.
"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." "We could see five to 10cm of snow quite quickly across central and eastern England, and maybe as much as 10 to 15cm on higher ground."
Salt stocks Ice would become an added danger on the roads by Sunday morning, she added.
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. The RAC's Kevin Andrews said the situation was likely to deteriorate throughout Saturday and urged drivers to stay at home where possible.
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. "It looks like we're going to get a dangerous cocktail of driving conditions this weekend, with heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures making the roads extremely treacherous."
As the rain cleared away, ice would become an added danger on the roads, she added. The motoring organisation was attending 70% more breakdowns than usual. An AA spokesman said it was dealing with around 1,500 vehicles per hour on Saturday morning and was expecting double the normal level of callouts.
'Gritter Twitter'
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 -12.4C (9.7F) was recorded in South Newington, Oxfordshire, overnight - the lowest this season, the Met Office said.
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.
Fixtures hit Racing off
In Championship football, Saturday's games at Portsmouth and Doncaster have been postponed, with pitch inspections due for other venues. In Championship football, Saturday's games at Portsmouth and Doncaster have been postponed.
In League One, matches at Bournemouth, Bury, Colchester, Charlton, Colchester, Notts County, Oldham, Preston and Scunthorpe were all called off.In League One, matches at Bournemouth, Bury, Colchester, Charlton, Colchester, Notts County, Oldham, Preston and Scunthorpe were all called off.
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 GMTHorse 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
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.
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.

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Fog

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Frost

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Pressure Fronts

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Rain

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Snow

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Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy
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