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Icy roads warning for drivers across UK Icy roads warning for drivers across UK
(about 3 hours later)
Warnings about icy roads have been issued for much of the UK as forecasts suggest snow in many areas could thaw and freeze again as temperatures fall.Warnings about icy roads have been issued for much of the UK as forecasts suggest snow in many areas could thaw and freeze again as temperatures fall.
BBC Weather said "ice would be the main hazard" facing northern England, Wales, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Met Office warned of treacherous conditions on roads, which has led to travel disruption in parts of the UK.
Around 2,000 homes in the East Midlands were without power at 11:30 GMT on Saturday, according to Western Power Distribution. Roads were particularly badly hit in Yorkshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire overnight. Some drivers in Yorkshire spent the night in their cars.
Roads were particularly badly hit in Yorkshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire. Thousands of homes have also been left without power in the East Midlands.
A group of coach passengers spent the night in a Sheffield church, and some drivers were forced to abandon their cars due to heavy snowfall and a crashed lorry on the M1. 'Take care'
Drivers were also marooned in the Peak District and Chesterfield areas of Derbyshire. The Met Office has issued yellow warnings - meaning "be aware" - for ice across the UK, and snow in northern and central England.
The Met Office put out yellow warnings - meaning "be aware" - for snow and ice for much of Scotland. "Widespread icy patches are expected to readily form on untreated surfaces this evening and during Saturday night, especially where snow cover exists or where wintry showers occur," it said.
There are also ice warnings for Northern Ireland and parts of England and Wales, and a warning of high winds for south-east England. "The public should take extra care and be aware of the possibility of some disruption to travel."
In other developments: The warnings were issued on Saturday morning, and run from 16:00 GMT until 12:00 on Sunday.
Chloe McIntosh was one of 20-30 passengers who tried to catch a 14:15 GMT National Express coach from Sheffield to London on Friday. Forecasters also warned of further snow throughout the afternoon and overnight for eastern England from Lincolnshire northwards.
She said the coach did not arrive to collect the passengers, and a replacement got stuck in the snow before getting out of Sheffield. Weather and travel info
The passengers took shelter at Our Lady of Beauchief & St Thomas of Canterbury Church before eventually boarding another coach at 06:30 GMT.
Ms McIntosh told the BBC: "National Express unfortunately did nothing for us - they went missing between 12 and 4am."
National Express said it was arranging "alternative travel" for its customers, adding: "We apologise to the passengers whose journeys have been so severely disrupted."
How to drive in snow and iceHow to drive in snow and ice
Read more about how to prepare your car and get readers' tips on driving in freezing weather. A cold weather alert for parts of England has been issued, with the Met Office saying there is a 90% chance that severe weather until 12:00 GMT on Wednesday could "increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services".
Dr Stan Fowler told the BBC he was one of a "handful" of drivers who had spent the night in their cars at Woodhall Services on the M1.
"I arrived here at 20:30 and have bedded down for the night after parts of the car park became impassable," he said.
"The staff have been excellent and have brought duvets from the nearby hotel and although it wasn't how I would have chosen to spend Boxing Day night, it really hasn't been too bad at all."
A crashed lorry blocked all southbound lanes of the M1 south of Barnsley earlier, and at 11:30 GMT on Saturday delays remained on the motorway on the stretch between Sheffield and Barnsley.
Issuing a cold weather alert for parts of England, the Met Office said there was a 90% chance that severe weather until 12:00 GMT on Wednesday could "increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services".
The amber - level three - alert is one below a national emergency and indicates social and healthcare services should target "high-risk" groups, such as the very young or old, or those with chronic diseases.The amber - level three - alert is one below a national emergency and indicates social and healthcare services should target "high-risk" groups, such as the very young or old, or those with chronic diseases.
Public Health England also urged people to look out for vulnerable friends and family and neighbours during the cold weather.Public Health England also urged people to look out for vulnerable friends and family and neighbours during the cold weather.
Drivers stranded
A group of coach passengers spent the night in a Sheffield church, and some drivers were forced to spend the night in their cars due to heavy snowfall and a crashed lorry on the M1.
Drivers were also marooned in the Peak District and Chesterfield areas of Derbyshire.
And Newcastle United fans slept on coaches when they got stuck overnight in snow on the M62 near Rochdale heading back from their 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Liverpool and Leeds Bradford airports have reopened after closing on Friday evening.
Manchester Airport has returned to normal after flights were diverted there from Liverpool and Leeds, causing some delays.
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How are you being affected by the snow where you are? How has the weather caused you to change your plans? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.How are you being affected by the snow where you are? How has the weather caused you to change your plans? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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