UK snow LIVE: Weather warning issued for Britain as SNOW hits - Freeze to last till March
HEAVY snow and temperatures low enough to stop grit working threaten chaos in the run up to the weekend as the Met Office warns the freezing cold snap could last until March.
Snow to remain in parts of UK as cold snap continues
Last night was tipped to be one of the coldest nights for six years with the mercury forecast to nudge -15C (5F) in parts.
Bitter winds will keep the nation on ice into the weekend as swathes of the UK are blanketed under snow.
Government forecasters warn icy roads and pavements threaten travel delays and could bring a risk of injury due to falls.
Elderly people and those with health conditions are warned to take extra care as Britain shivers in the coldest spell of winter.
Motoring groups are gearing up for mayhem with more than 114,000 cold-related breakdowns predicted before the weekend.
The mercury fell to minus 9.9C in Shap, Cumbria, overnight and minus 7.6C in Sennybridge, on the northern edge of the Brecon Beacons, as many woke up to the coldest morning of the week, the Met Office said.
But the coldest temperature overnight was recorded in Tulloch Bridge, in the Scottish Highlands, where the mercury plunged to minus 10.1C - still some way off the UK's coldest night of 2018 so far at minus 13.7C.
Temperatures will widely drop to freezing or under over the coming nights with lows of -10C (14F) or below in rural spots.
Daytime highs will struggle to get above low single figures apart from in the far south which will turn slightly milder on Thursday.
The Met Office has extended severe weather warnings for snow and ice across Scotland, northern and western Britain until Friday.
A separate alert for wintry weather across southeast England remains in place until mid-morning today.
UK weather: Norwich covered by blanket of SNOW
8.57am: Cornish chaos
A number of accidents believed to have been caused by the icy conditions have resulted in a series of road closures in Cornwall.
The A389 has been closed between Midway Road and the B3266 near Bodmin, while the B3293 is closed in both directions.
Ian Drummond-Smith, the Police Commander for East Cornwall, tweeted this earlier:
We expect widespread frosts on Wednesday morning after a very cold night with clear skies bringing some low temperatures
8.50am: Cumbria road closed due to snow
The B5289 remains closed as a result of the wintery weather in recent days.
The road, located in the Lake District, is due to reopen shortly.
8.35am: Cornwall schools closed
Seven schools in Cornwall have closed today as a result of the snow, while others are due to open later than usual to prevent students rushing to school in the icy conditions.
According to Cornwall Live: the school closures and delayed opening times are as follows:
Brannel School CLOSED
Mullion Primary school CLOSED
North Cornwall Acorn Academy CLOSED
Trannack School CLOSED
Kea School CLOSED
St Dennis Primary School CLOSED
Penryn Primary Academy CLOSED
Mullion Secondary School - 11am
Boskenwyn 10.30am
Germoe 10.30am
St Keverne 11am
Grade Ruan 11am
Coverack 11am
Halwin 11am
Constantine Primary School 11am
Manaccan School – 11am
Nansloe Academy -1pm
Helston Community College - 11am
Weather to hit FREEZING temperatures overnight with snow
Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: “We expect widespread frosts on Wednesday morning after a very cold night with clear skies bringing some low temperatures.
“There will be a risk of snow in the south and east on Wednesday morning and through the day in Scotland and western Britain.
“A slight change in wind direction from the Atlantic will bring a slightly milder feel on Thursday especially in the south before the cold returns at the end of the week and into the weekend.
“The entire country is at risk of showers which could be wintry in nature later this weekend.”
Southern England faces the added misery of torrential rainfall Thursday night, he added.
Sub-zero temperatures forecast through the rest of the week coming after heavy downpours threaten icy roads and pavements.
Motoring groups warned drivers to carry an emergency kit in case of breakdown and prepare for treacherous road conditions.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “When the mercury falls well below zero grit loses its effectiveness and when things plunge to -10C grit can’t prevent a road from freezing.
“Do not presume a gritted road is free of ice, judge each road you drive on carefully, especially out in the countryside.
“We strongly recommend drivers covering any great distance have an emergency kit to hand.”
Road recovery firm Green Flag predicts more than 114,000 breakdowns over the next few days due to severe weather.
Spokesman Simon Henrick said: “Plunging temperatures and icy conditions may take some drivers by surprise this week.
“It’s important that drivers do all they can to stay safe in the more challenging conditions by thoroughly checking their cars before they leave home, and approaching roads with caution.”
Met Office chief forecaster Frank Saunders warned to expect longer journey times on roads and transport networks.
He said: “Following a spell of rain, sleet and hill snow, temperatures will fall quickly allowing ice to form on untreated pavements, cycle paths and roads.
“Some injuries from slips and accidents on icy surfaces are possible.
Weather latest: UK set for snow chaos as temperatures plummet
“Some roads and railways are likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services.”
A government cold weather health alert warns of “dangerous” winter conditions until the end of the week.
Dr Angie Bone, spokeswoman for Public Health England’s (PHE) Extreme Events team, urged people to keep an eye on the elderly and vulnerable.
She said: “As this colder period continues we should all check in on those we know, whether they’re friends, family or neighbours, who may be at risk, and offer to lend a helping hand.
“It can be all too easy for those of us who are fit and well and able to cope with the cold; but it’s really important to remember that it can leave some people feeling a bit cut off.”
Bookmaker Coral has slashed the odds on this winter ending up the coldest on record to 6-4 from from 3-1.
Spokesman John Hill said: “This is turning out to be a long winter this year and with temperatures continuing to drop this week, the odds suggest we could be set for a record cold season.”
Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill said: "There are indications of quite a prolonged cold period."
Another band of snow, sleet and rain will sweep across the country from Wednesday to Thursday and bring a "milder blip" in the weather, Mr Burkill said.
But he added: "The cold weather is likely to return as we go towards the weekend.
"Really much of February and perhaps even into March it is going to stay on the cold side, so temperatures generally below average, with further frosts and also the risk of rain, sleet and snow as well."
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