More than 200 schools close across Britain: Classrooms shut as Arctic blast sparks new snow and ice weather warnings - as map reveals worst-hit areas
Snow forced more than 200 schools across Britain to close today as forecasters issued fresh warnings for more flurries and sub-zero conditions from tonight.
Snow forced more than 200 schools across Britain to close today as forecasters issued fresh warnings for more flurries and sub-zero conditions from tonight.
Thousands of pupils across Wales and central England were given the day off after nearly 5in (12cm) of snow fell in places and temperatures plunged to -11.2C (12.2F).
Some 140 Welsh schools shut across Wrexham, Powys, Denbighshire and Flintshire; while around 50 closures were reported in the West Midlands and 20 in Derbyshire.
The Met Office activated a yellow ice warning for most of southern England, the Midlands and eastern Wales from 5pm this afternoon until 10am tomorrow.
An additional five yellow warnings for snow and ice were also imposed as follows:
- South Wales from 11.40am today until midnight tonight for 5cm (2in) of snow;
- Northern Ireland from 6pm tonight until 10am tomorrow for 5cm of snow;
- East England from 6pm tonight until 12pm tomorrow for 10cm (4in) of snow;
- Central and North Wales from midnight tonight until 12pm tomorrow for 5cm; and
- Northern Scotland from yesterday until 10am tomorrow for 20cm (8in) of snow.
The Met Office warnings advised that vehicles could be stranded, power cuts may occur, rural areas could be cut off and there was a risk of injury from slipping on ice.
And the UK Health Security Agency issued the first amber cold weather health alert of the season, warning conditions could be dangerous for vulnerable people.
Snowy hills surround the A57 Snake Pass through the Peak District in Derbyshire today
People use a sledge on a snow-covered hill overlooking Bradford in West Yorkshire today
Barasingha deer in the snow today at West Midlands Safari and Leisure Park in Worcestershire
It came amid a big chill with the coldest UK temperature this early in the season since 1998 recorded this morning as Braemar in Aberdeenshire fell to -11.2C (12.2F).
Snow also impacted rail routes today, with no trains able to run between Nottingham and Worksop or between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog in North Wales.
Northern services across Yorkshire between Bradford and Huddersfield, Hebden Bridge to Halifax and Halifax to Hull were also impacted, while flooding near Ulverston in Cumbria caused disruption between Barrow-in-Furness and Lancaster.
Meanwhile a Stagecoach bus in Aberdeenshire toppled onto its side with a passenger on board in icy conditions this morning in the New Leeds area.
A spokesperson for Stagecoach North Scotland said: We can confirm that one of our vehicles operating on service X67 has been involved in an incident at New Leeds this morning due to ice on the road. One passenger was on board, and there were no injuries.
Nearly 5in (12cm) of snow fell at Watnall in Nottinghamshire, with 3in (8cm) recorded at Cranwell in Lincolnshire and 2in (5cm) at Lake Vyrnwy in Powys, Wales.
The UK Health Security Agency issued an amber cold weather health alert for the East and North of England, the Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber.
The Met Office activated a yellow ice warning for most of southern England, the Midlands and eastern Wales from 5pm this afternoon until 10am tomorrow
Yellow health alerts also came into place for the South East, South West and London at 8am today, lasting until 6pm on Saturday.
Met Office chief meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: With cold Arctic air firmly in place over the UK, continued winter hazards are likely through much of this week, with further updates to warnings likely in the coming days.
The current focus for upcoming snow and ice risk is from later on Tuesday and overnight into Wednesday, with snow showers likely moving in off windward coasts in the north and east, as well as drifting into parts of Northern Ireland and Wales.
In excess of 10cm of snow is possible over higher ground within the warning areas, with 1-2cm possibly settling at lower levels, which has the potential to lead to some travel disruption. Ice is an additional hazard and is likely to form quickly on untreated surfaces.
The Met Office, which described the conditions as the first taste of winter, issued a yellow warning for snow and ice along the east coast of Scotland and England from Berwickshire to Suffolk from 6pm tonight to midday on Wednesday.
A yellow warning for snow and ice covering Northern Ireland has also been issued from 6pm this evening until 10am tomorrow.
There are also warnings in place covering the north of Scotland until 10am tomorrow and much of central and South Wales until 11.59pm today.
Houses are blanketed in snow across Mansfield in Nottinghamshire this morning
Beautiful snowy scenes in Buxton, Derbyshire, today as very cold weather hits the UK
A crashed car covered in snow in a ditch at the side of a road near Buxton in Derbyshire today
A person walks on snow-covered ground at Pavillion Gardens in Buxton, Derbyshire, today
Animals in the snow today at West Midlands Safari and Leisure Park in Worcestershire
Children play in the snow with sledges on the hills of Buxton in Derbyshire this morning
Snow falls at Rotherhithe in South East London this morning as cold weather hits the UK
Beautiful snowy scenes in Buxton, Derbyshire, today as very cold weather hits the UK
Snow falls at Oreton in Shropshire today as temperature fall below zero in parts of the UK
Snow falls at Rotherhithe in South East London this morning as cold weather hits the UK
A man pushes a van as residents of Crook in County Durham wake up to snow this morning
Beautiful snowy scenes in Buxton, Derbyshire, today as very cold weather hits the UK
Snow surrounds All Saints Netherthong Church in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, this morning
Animals in the snow today at West Midlands Safari and Leisure Park in Worcestershire
A freight train passes along the snowy track in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffordshire, today
Horses out at Sam Drinkwaters Granary Stables in Strensham, Worcestershire, today
Snow falls at Rotherhithe in South East London this morning as cold weather hits the UK
Beautiful snowy scenes in Buxton, Derbyshire, today as very cold weather hits the UK
Snow-covered buildings are pictured this morning after overnight snowfall in Warwick
The man-made fish-shaped Muckle Troot Loch near Inverurie in Aberdeenshire today
A train departure screen in Bradford this morning shows cancelations due to the weather
People work in the snow in Keele near Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire this morning
A Northern Rail train travels on tracks past snow in Buxton in Derbyshire this morning
A snow-covered field in Bradford today following overnight snowfall in West Yorkshire
Snowy scenes at Keele near Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire this morning
Snow falls at Rotherhithe in South East London this morning as cold weather hits the UK
A separate warning for much of central and north Wales is in place from midnight until midday tomorrow.
The Met Office said cold northerly winds will continue through the week across much of the UK, with further warnings likely.
It added that temperatures were likely to increase from the southwest this weekend, though this will be accompanied by some strong winds and heavy rain.
National Rail had warned the cold climate would affect various routes on northern train services until at least 2pm this afternoon.
Thousands of train passengers suffered disruption due to the severe weather.
By 11am this morning, some 64 out of a total of 120 services (53 per cent) planned by East Midlands Railway were cancelled or delayed by at least half-an-hour, according to the trains.im punctuality and reliability website.
Figures for other operators include London North Eastern Railway (37 per cent), Transport for Wales (13 per cent), West Midlands Trains (13 per cent) and CrossCountry (12 per cent).
Merseyrail issued an alert warning passengers that due to the potential of snow and ice covering tracks, the first service on each line in North West England ran without customers to ensure conditions could be checked.
National Highways also sent out a severe amber weather alert for snow, with the M1 in Leeds and Sheffield, the M56 in Manchester, junction 39 of the M6 and junctions 21-23 of the M62 likely to see disruption.
The Met Office, which described the conditions as the first taste of winter, said heavy snow would prove disruptive in England, with Derbyshire being the area most likely to be affected.
Snowy scenes in Buxton, Derbyshire, today as very cold weather hits the UK
A train passes over snow-covered tracks in Liverpool this morning
A man clearing snow in Durham this morning amid a series of weather warnings in place
People walk through a snow-covered Priory Park today after overnight snowfall in Warwick
Residents of Crook in County Durham wake up to to snow covered streets this morning
People walk in the snow in Keele near Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire this morning
Snowy scenes in Buxton, Derbyshire, today as very cold weather hits the UK
Horses out at Sam Drinkwaters Granary Stables in Strensham, Worcestershire, today
Snowy scenes at Keele near Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire this morning
Animals in the snow today at West Midlands Safari and Leisure Park in Worcestershire
A snow-covered farmhouse at Clayton West in West Yorkshire this morning
Houses are blanketed in snow across Mansfield in Nottinghamshire this morning
Horses out at Sam Drinkwaters Granary Stables in Strensham, Worcestershire, today
Snowy scenes in Buxton, Derbyshire, today as very cold weather hits the UK
A scattering of overnight snow in Durham this morning as the cathedral is pictured
Houses are blanketed in snow across Mansfield in Nottinghamshire this morning
A snow-covered road in Bradford today following overnight snowfall in West Yorkshire
Houses are blanketed in snow across Mansfield in Nottinghamshire this morning
People walk through a snow-covered Priory Park today after overnight snowfall in Warwick
Snowy scenes in Buxton, Derbyshire, today as very cold weather hits the UK
Snowy scenes at Keele near Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire this morning
The Alzheimers Society warned that cold weather can be particularly challenging for people with dementia.
Colder temperatures can be difficult for a person with dementia to adjust to, and they may not always be able to communicate that they are cold - or they may not even recognise it themselves, the charity said.
It advised the public to check in on loved ones, friends and neighbours living with the condition.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, from the UK Health Security Agency, said: This is the first amber Cold Weather Health Alert of the season, but we can expect more as we approach winter, and it is vital to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the onset of cold weather.
Snow falls over properties at Middleport in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, this morning
Snow falls at Rotherhithe in South East London this morning as cold weather hits the UK
St Mary and All Saints Church in Whitmore, Staffordshire, is blanketed in snow today
Jessie the dog enjoys the snow with at Pavilion Gardens in Buxton , Derbyshire, today
Snow covers the Derbyshire village of Edensor today as cold weather hits much of Britain
The man-made fish-shaped Muckle Troot Loch near Inverurie in Aberdeenshire today
Snow covering rooftops in Buxton today as the cold weather hits much of Britain
Sheep graze in a snow covered field on a farm at Clayton West in West Yorkshire today
Snowy scenes in Buxton, Derbyshire, today as very cold weather hits the UK
People walk a dog over a snow-covered hill near Durham Cathedral this morning
Snow covering fields in Buxton today as the cold weather hits much of Britain
Houses are blanketed in snow across Mansfield in Nottinghamshire this morning
Snow-covered houses in Leeds this morning following overnight snowfall in West Yorkshire
Animals in the snow today at West Midlands Safari and Leisure Park in Worcestershire
Horses out at Sam Drinkwaters Granary Stables in Strensham, Worcestershire, today
Snow-covered buildings are pictured this morning after overnight snowfall in Warwick
Children play in the snow with sledges on the hills of Buxton in Derbyshire this morning
A person dressed in warm clothing walks through Sefton Park in Liverpool this morning
Snowy scenes in Buxton, Derbyshire, today as very cold weather hits the UK
Snow-covered buildings are pictured this morning after overnight snowfall in Warwick
Snow covers the Derbyshire village of Edensor today as cold weather hits much of Britain
Horses out at Sam Drinkwaters Granary Stables in Strensham, Worcestershire, today
Snow-covered houses in Leeds this morning following overnight snowfall in West Yorkshire
Particularly if they are elderly or otherwise at increased risk.
Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said the charity was worried that the loss of the Winter Fuel Payment has caused many older people to be extra fearful about turning on their heating this winter.
With high energy bills and food prices it is understandable that some may think they have to cut back on food and turn their heating off, but prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can have a serious impact on an older persons health, especially if they are already trying to manage existing illnesses, she said.
The cold raises blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke and breathing in cold air can also increase the risk, and impact, of serious illnesses like flu and pneumonia.
Ms Abrahams said it is vital that older people stay fit, warm and well if they can by having hot food and drinks throughout the day, wrapping up warm and sleeping with the windows closed.
Another charity Asthma + Lung UK urged those living with lung conditions to be extra careful.
The charity warned that cold weather can trigger potentially life-threatening asthma attacks or flare-ups for people with other lung conditions.
Erika Radford, head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK, said: Your risk of ending up in A&E doubles in winter if you have a lung condition.
Horses out at Sam Drinkwaters Granary Stables in Strensham, Worcestershire, today
M62 motorway traffic in Bradford this morning following heavy overnight snowfall
Snow-covered buildings are pictured this morning after overnight snowfall in Warwick
A woman walks through the snow in Buxton, Derbyshire, this morning amid the cold weather
Snowy scenes in Buxton, Derbyshire, today as very cold weather hits the UK
A person walks their dog during snowfall in Warwick this morning as conditions turn cold
Horses out at Sam Drinkwaters Granary Stables in Strensham, Worcestershire, today
Snow-covered houses in Leeds this morning following overnight snowfall in West Yorkshire
Children play in the snow with sledges on the hills of Buxton in Derbyshire this morning
Horses out at Sam Drinkwaters Granary Stables in Strensham, Worcestershire, today
A motorist drives down a snow-covered street after overnight snowfall in Warwick today
A person walks their dog during snowfall in Warwick this morning as conditions turn cold
Snow covered buildings in the early morning light after the overnight snowfall in Buxton today
Ducks walk across snow covered ground at a park in Buxton, Derbyshire, this morning
Were here to help you to stay well, however every day people with lung conditions are needlessly suffering and without urgent action more lives will be put at risk.
And RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: The first taste of winter means drivers are suddenly contending with the some of the worst road conditions weve seen all year.
With freezing temperatures already causing disruption in the east and north of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and snow showers now affecting regions further south, we advise motorists to plan well ahead and only make journeys if absolutely essential.
Drivers should ensure their tyres have plenty of tread and are inflated to the correct pressure to give them the best possible grip on the road.
Its best to stick to major roads, rather than rural areas where surfaces may not be gritted, reduce speeds and leave plenty of space behind the vehicle in front to ensure you have more time to stop.
Everyone should travel prepared in case they find themselves broken down at the side of the road: a blanket, warm waterproof coat and gloves, sturdy footwear and a charging cable and mobile power bank are all essentials.
Have you been affected by the snow? Please email: tips@dailymail.com
