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Storms battering parts of Britain Storms battering parts of Britain
(about 3 hours later)
High winds have been battering large parts of Britain, claiming at least one life, as forecasters warn of blizzards and snow showers to come.High winds have been battering large parts of Britain, claiming at least one life, as forecasters warn of blizzards and snow showers to come.
A 45-year-old lorry driver died on the M6, near Tebay, in Cumbria as his lorry overturned in gusts of up to 70mph.A 45-year-old lorry driver died on the M6, near Tebay, in Cumbria as his lorry overturned in gusts of up to 70mph.
The Port of Dover in Kent is closed, with a storm force 10 gale in the English Channel predicted. The Port of Dover in Kent has reopened after gusts of up to 60mph forced it to close, causing widespread disruption.
In Wales some homes are without power and schools closed, while the Forth Road Bridge has reopened after a crash. In Wales some homes are without power and the Forth Road Bridge, west of Edinburgh, has reopened after a crash.
Around 1,000 homes were without power in Gwynedd and two schools, John Beddoes High in Presteigne and Whitton Primary schools in Powys, are closed because of a power failure. Around 1,000 homes were without power in Gwynedd and two schools, John Beddoes High in Presteigne and Whitton Primary schools in Powys, closed because of a power failure.
The Forth Road Bridge, west of Edinburgh, remains closed to high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorcycles after a lorry earlier overturned in high winds. The Forth Road Bridge remains closed to high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorcycles after a lorry earlier overturned in high winds.
The air will be a lot colder, with sleet and snow showers working their way across the whole of the UK by tomorrow morning Met Office The air will be a lot colder, with sleet and snow showers working their way across the whole of the UK by tomorrow morning Met Office class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7220199.stm">In Pictures: Storms hit Britain
There are widespread travel delays, including at the Port of Dover, in Kent, which is closed to shipping movements because of gusts of up to 60mph. There are widespread travel delays, including at the Port of Dover where disruption to sailings remains.
Kent Police have implemented Operation Stack, closing a section of the M20, because of the port closure. Passengers are being advised to check with their operator before travelling.
A Port of Dover spokeswoman said: "The port has been closed in the interests of safety because of the high winds. Kent Police implemented Operation Stack - closing a section of the M20 because of the port closure - and this remains in place.
"We would ask passengers expected to travel to first contact their operator for further details."
Arctic weatherArctic weather
The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for parts of the UK.The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for parts of the UK.
Spokeswoman Helen Chivers said the cold weather was coming "straight from the Arctic" and everywhere across the UK would have a chance of seeing snow over the coming days.Spokeswoman Helen Chivers said the cold weather was coming "straight from the Arctic" and everywhere across the UK would have a chance of seeing snow over the coming days.
"At the moment a lot of people are fighting wind and rain across the south eastern half of England and Wales, but that should have moved away by teatime," she said. "At the moment a lot of people are fighting wind and rain across the south-eastern half of England and Wales, but that should have moved away by teatime," she said.
"There are an awful lot of showers across northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland and they are going to work their way southwards."There are an awful lot of showers across northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland and they are going to work their way southwards.
A man died when his lorry was blown over on the M6 Scenes at the M6A man died when his lorry was blown over on the M6 Scenes at the M6
"The air will be a lot colder, with sleet and snow showers working their way across the whole of the UK by tomorrow morning.""The air will be a lot colder, with sleet and snow showers working their way across the whole of the UK by tomorrow morning."
Northern areas could see snowfall between 10cm (4in) and 20cm (8in), while southern England is likely to see 2cm (1in) to 5cm (2in) of snow.Northern areas could see snowfall between 10cm (4in) and 20cm (8in), while southern England is likely to see 2cm (1in) to 5cm (2in) of snow.
Blizzards and snow drifts, due to the high winds, were likely in northern parts, she added.Blizzards and snow drifts, due to the high winds, were likely in northern parts, she added.
Elsewhere, a 50-mile stretch of the M6 motorway was closed to all traffic as winds gusted up to 70mph causing several accidents. Elsewhere, a 50-mile stretch of the M6 motorway was closed to all traffic as winds gusted up to 70mph causing several accidents, including the fatal one near Tebay early on Thursday.
The lorry driver was pronounced dead on the northbound M6 near Tebay early on Thursday.
A Cumbria Police spokesman said: "The HGV appeared to have been affected by the adverse weather and has blown over, causing the vehicle to collide into a central reservation."A Cumbria Police spokesman said: "The HGV appeared to have been affected by the adverse weather and has blown over, causing the vehicle to collide into a central reservation."
Drivers are warned to be wary of the possibility of trees or other debris on roads Grampian PoliceDrivers are warned to be wary of the possibility of trees or other debris on roads Grampian Police
In Wales, the M48 old Severn Bridge, the Cleddau Bridge in Pembrokeshire and the Britannia Bridge in north Wales are closed to high-sided vehicles.In Wales, the M48 old Severn Bridge, the Cleddau Bridge in Pembrokeshire and the Britannia Bridge in north Wales are closed to high-sided vehicles.
In Scotland, restrictions are in place on the Tay and Erskine bridges, and further north there were also warnings on the Skye and Kessock bridges.In Scotland, restrictions are in place on the Tay and Erskine bridges, and further north there were also warnings on the Skye and Kessock bridges.
Around Aberdeenshire, police are warning that heavy snows, fallen trees, and a number of other minor incidents are causing problems for motorists.Around Aberdeenshire, police are warning that heavy snows, fallen trees, and a number of other minor incidents are causing problems for motorists.
A Grampian Police spokesman said: "Drivers are warned to be wary of the possibility of trees or other debris on roads, in view of the current weather conditions, and to take particular care."A Grampian Police spokesman said: "Drivers are warned to be wary of the possibility of trees or other debris on roads, in view of the current weather conditions, and to take particular care."
Also in Aberdeenshire, a 61-year-old ice climber who was stranded on a cliff after breaking his leg, was rescued in an operation involving up to 50 people. Also in Aberdeenshire, a 61-year-old ice climber who was stranded on a cliff after injuring his leg, was rescued in an operation involving up to 50 people.
Teams from RAF Leuchars and Lossiemouth braved blizzards to save the man, who was located at 0430 GMT on Thursday in Raeburns Gully, Deeside.Teams from RAF Leuchars and Lossiemouth braved blizzards to save the man, who was located at 0430 GMT on Thursday in Raeburns Gully, Deeside.


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