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Heavy rain and snow cause disruption Heavy rain and snow cause disruption
(about 3 hours later)
Heavy rainfall is causing flooding in the South West of England while snow has fallen in parts of the UK, with more disruption expected later.Heavy rainfall is causing flooding in the South West of England while snow has fallen in parts of the UK, with more disruption expected later.
In Devon and Cornwall, homes have flooded and drivers have been rescued from their cars.In Devon and Cornwall, homes have flooded and drivers have been rescued from their cars.
The Environment Agency has 16 flood warnings in place for the South West. The Met Office has two amber warnings for snow, covering much of the UK. The Environment Agency has 18 flood warnings in place for the South West. The Met Office has two amber warnings for snow, covering much of the UK.
BBC forecasters said 20cm-40cm (8in-16in) of snow could fall in places. Flights at Leeds Bradford Airport have been stopped due to the weather.
The snow would cause travel disruption across northern parts of the UK on Friday, the BBC's Tomasz Schafernaker said.The snow would cause travel disruption across northern parts of the UK on Friday, the BBC's Tomasz Schafernaker said.
Some 20cm-40cm (8in-16in) of snow could fall in places.
'Immediate action''Immediate action'
Roads in northern parts of Wales, the Midlands into the Pennines, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland would be the worst affected on Friday, while gale force winds would blow snow and drifts across trans-Pennine routes.Roads in northern parts of Wales, the Midlands into the Pennines, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland would be the worst affected on Friday, while gale force winds would blow snow and drifts across trans-Pennine routes.
Heavy snow could continue into Saturday and Sunday, he said.Heavy snow could continue into Saturday and Sunday, he said.
He warned of flooding problems across the south and said parts of southern Cornwall and Devon could see 50-75mm of rain falling in a 24-48 hour period.He warned of flooding problems across the south and said parts of southern Cornwall and Devon could see 50-75mm of rain falling in a 24-48 hour period.
The warnings come just over a week before the start of British Summer Time.The warnings come just over a week before the start of British Summer Time.
On Friday morning, roads closed because of snow included the A53 in Derbyshire, between the A54 Macclesfield main road junction in Buxton and the Thorncliff Road junction in Leek, and the A54 in Cheshire, between the Chester Road and Morreys Lane junctions.
In Cornwall, the A39 in Perranarworthal was closed at Norway Inn because of flooding.
On Thursday night into Friday morning, areas of Cornwall - including Newlyn, Penzance, Mevagissy and St Ives - were flooded, with the fire service taking about 50 calls between 18:00 and 21:00.On Thursday night into Friday morning, areas of Cornwall - including Newlyn, Penzance, Mevagissy and St Ives - were flooded, with the fire service taking about 50 calls between 18:00 and 21:00.
Areas of Devon, including Ashburton, were also affected while, in two separate incidents in Plymstock, people were rescued by fire crews after being stuck in their cars in flood water.Areas of Devon, including Ashburton, were also affected while, in two separate incidents in Plymstock, people were rescued by fire crews after being stuck in their cars in flood water.
Sgt Dave Opara, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "There has been a considerable amount of rainfall across the force area.Sgt Dave Opara, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "There has been a considerable amount of rainfall across the force area.
"There will be more to come throughout the night so the situation is not going to get much better too soon." "There will be more to come throughout the night so the situation is not going to get much better too soon."
As well as setting flood warnings - meaning "flooding is expected, immediate action required" - in the South West, the Environment Agency also has 79 flood alerts - meaning "flooding is possible, be prepared" - across England. As well as setting flood warnings - meaning "flooding is expected, immediate action required" - in the South West, the Environment Agency also has 80 flood alerts - meaning "flooding is possible, be prepared" - across England.
Spokesman Ben Johnstone said: "We strongly urge people to sign up to flood warnings on the Environment Agency website, keep a close eye on local weather forecasts and be prepared for possible flooding."Spokesman Ben Johnstone said: "We strongly urge people to sign up to flood warnings on the Environment Agency website, keep a close eye on local weather forecasts and be prepared for possible flooding."
People should not try to wade or drive through any deep water, he added.People should not try to wade or drive through any deep water, he added.
Hampden warningHampden warning
The Met has one amber warning - meaning "be prepared" - for rain for some southern parts of Cornwall and Devon.The Met has one amber warning - meaning "be prepared" - for rain for some southern parts of Cornwall and Devon.
There are two amber warnings for snow in place - one for parts of the north Midlands, north-east Wales and north-west England, and another for parts of Northern Ireland.There are two amber warnings for snow in place - one for parts of the north Midlands, north-east Wales and north-west England, and another for parts of Northern Ireland.
There are also yellow warnings - meaning "be aware" - in place for areas including parts of eastern Scotland and parts of south-west Scotland.There are also yellow warnings - meaning "be aware" - in place for areas including parts of eastern Scotland and parts of south-west Scotland.
Belfast International Airport has warned passengers there could be delays on Friday and Saturday because of heavy rain and snow.Belfast International Airport has warned passengers there could be delays on Friday and Saturday because of heavy rain and snow.
Scotland has already born the brunt of heavy snowfall, which made driving conditions hazardous and forced the closure of more than 100 schools earlier this week.Scotland has already born the brunt of heavy snowfall, which made driving conditions hazardous and forced the closure of more than 100 schools earlier this week.
Transport Scotland urged fans travelling to the World Cup qualifier between Scotland and Wales at Glasgow's Hampden stadium on Friday night to check travel information throughout the day in case of disruption.Transport Scotland urged fans travelling to the World Cup qualifier between Scotland and Wales at Glasgow's Hampden stadium on Friday night to check travel information throughout the day in case of disruption.
AA head of operations Darron Burness, meanwhile, has warned of "a real witches' brew of driving wind, rain and snow" for drivers across the UK.AA head of operations Darron Burness, meanwhile, has warned of "a real witches' brew of driving wind, rain and snow" for drivers across the UK.
"Drivers should be well prepared as even short journeys can quickly turn bad," he said."Drivers should be well prepared as even short journeys can quickly turn bad," he said.
"Wherever you're going, take plenty of warm layers, check the travel reports before heading out and stick to the main roads where possible.""Wherever you're going, take plenty of warm layers, check the travel reports before heading out and stick to the main roads where possible."
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