Schools, roads, rail and air travel are affected as extreme cold weather and snow engulfs large parts of the country
• ‘Beast from the east’ batters Britain for second day – live updates
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Related: UK weather: 'beast from the east' batters Britain for second day – live updates
Back in Blighty, meanwhile, Met Office forecaster Mark Wilson says the UK is facing an “exceptionally cold” night, with the potential for temperatures to plunge as low as -10C in parts of Scotland.
At least 24 people have died in mainland Europe in the past four days as freezing temperatures brought snow as far south as the balmy Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Capri.
There’s plenty more snow forecast this week, as the Met Office is warning:
There's a lot of #snow in the forecast for the next few days; here's the latest on how much you could get ❄️️⛄️ pic.twitter.com/HL1mTBZp9b
Yes it’s rather chilly in the UK, but as always they do winter far better on the Continent, as this image from the Italian province in which Florence is located attests.
The extreme cold expected to hit many parts of Europe could send temperatures plummeting to lows not seen for a decade.
Southeastern is warning passengers that if conditions deteriorate significantly it may need to run an emergency timetable.
We're working closely with @NetworkRailSE to keep the network open over the coming days, but please check before you travel. #UKSnowpic.twitter.com/4iCGHGmjgM
The “beast from the east” has already disrupted train services, forced schools to close and caused airlines to cancel flights. But what sort of consequences could there be for the UK economy?
What we know so far
This is an interesting statement from the Stansted Express. It says services are returning to normal for the rest of the day but admits that in cancelling earlier trains it was preparing for the worst “in the light of the forecast severe weather” - in other words the fact that it did not turn out as bad as anticipated meant it could have run more services.
Services are now beginning to be reinstated where we can - please keep updated here: https://t.co/WGne5sEMJmpic.twitter.com/kvkBy5D12y
It’s not a good day to be doing this job:
Life Guards on duty as the #BeastFromTheEast brings snow to Horse Guards in #London#Snowmageddon@ArmyInLondon#ReadytoServepic.twitter.com/AyJFk5L6VS
Southeastern trains has warned of more cancellations on its network during the evening rush hour:
SERVICE UPDATE 16:15: Cancellations to some High Speed services this evening - you may wish to use an alternative route. Reduced service on the Sheerness line - buses replacing some trains. Plan your journey here https://t.co/C5c2v1IeXn / https://t.co/mT7AyierEb#UKSnow
Amid the pretty pictures, a reminder of how difficult it is for rough sleepers in these conditions.
Willie Smith is sleeping rough on Edinburgh's Princes Street as the #BeastFromTheEast draws in. He's trying to raise enough money to pay for a hostel before the temperature drops overnight. pic.twitter.com/oXrVC2SSJD
The sub-zero temperatures mean keepers at Bristol zoo gardens are taking extra measures to ensure animals keep warm during the freezing weather, including giving some animals peanut butter.
Small primates such as the zoo’s squirrel monkeys and tamarins are given small amounts of peanut butter as a special fatty treat, while gorillas are given extra bedding. Many of the animal enclosures are also heated.
Many of our other animals are provided with supplementary heaters at this time of year, such as our capybara, tapirs and warty pigs. They also get much bigger straw beds outside to help them snuggle in.
To say the weather has been changeable would be an understatement.
The weather can't seem to quite make up its mind here today! ☀️❄️ #snow#newcastle#beastfromtheeastpic.twitter.com/wNsUrrSi23
Readers around the UK have been sharing images of the scenes where they are – what they can make out, at least.
This was the picture in Bromley, south London, at lunchtime.
Samuel Gibbs picks out the best apps to help you get home in the snow.
Related: Stuck in snow chaos? Apps to help you find your way home
Kent Police are urging drivers to take extra care after dealing with 160 collisions and 60 other weather related calls since midnight.
It said that none of the incidents have caused serious injuries but they also a series of delays on the roads.
The Maidstone and Swale areas are worst affected and there are currently a number of incidents on the M20 between junctions 7 and 9 in both directions. There are also traffic issues affecting Detling Hill, Bluebell Hill, the A20 in Charing and Lenham and the M2 between junctions 5 and 6 in both directions. All the main roads and motorways in the county are currently open, but there are some lane closures in place which may cause delays.
The cricket season is only two months away.
You know the #BeastFromTheEast means business when it manages to hit @TheAgeasBowl! ❄☃️ pic.twitter.com/n6hFD20WpD
Not great for playing cricket but The Kia Oval is looking spectacular this morning! #uksnow#BeastFromTheEast#snowday#snowpic.twitter.com/WhMXj5KPEz
Snow stops play ❄️☃️❄️
The #BeastFromTheEast has arrived at The 3aaa County Ground #WeAreDerbyshirepic.twitter.com/rOvELJXc6A
Photographer Paul Kingston captured a fantastic snowy image from the top of Durham cathedral.
Ive been up in the heavens of @durhamcathedral today after the City of Durham was christened with a blanket of snow. #snow#Snowmageddon#uksnow#BeastFromTheEast@ThisisDurham@UKSnowUpdatespic.twitter.com/MMXsckOrQp
Very moody looking Anglican Cathedral today in #Liverpool#BeastFromTheEast#Snowpic.twitter.com/6Dc6iL7tTG
The #BeastFromTheEast has arrived! #snow#manchester#uksnow#uksnowmanchester❄️☃️ pic.twitter.com/Dfiuh0LaQH
Beverley Minster withstanding the Beast from the East! #BeastFromTheEast#BeverleyMinsterpic.twitter.com/RKnOHjs8rS
Here’s what the #BeastFromTheEast looks like at the moment in @CityofYork❄️❄️❄️
⚠️Please be careful throughout the day and check local road & rail networks for latest developments⚠️ pic.twitter.com/OT5VONYG8e
The updated forecast for Thursday is especially bleak. Two amber be prepared warnings have been expanded by the Met Office. One covers eastern Scotland and north-east England and the other applies to much of western England and Wales.
An updated amber, be prepared, warning for snow and ice has been issued for Friday for most of Wales, western England and parts of the West Midlands.
The Met Office is warning of widespread snow as the remains of the Atlantic Storm Emma clashes with cold air over the UK.
As it comes into contact with the very cold air resident over the UK, it has potential to produce widespread snow, accompanied by strong to gale force winds. As less cold air follows from the south, there is a chance of snow turning to freezing rain bringing an additional significant ice risk. There is still uncertainty in how this system will develop, but there is a chance that the combined effects of snow, strong winds and ice will lead to severe impacts.
A yellow severe weather warning for #snow&wind has been updated: https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs Stay #weatheraware@metofficeukpic.twitter.com/umH9jF7eIj
One person has suffered life-threatening injuries after three crashes on the A47 in Cambridgeshire which are all believed to have involved the same vehicle, police said.
Cambridgeshire Police said the collisions all took place on the same stretch of the road near Peterborough.
The #A47 between Wansford and Castor is still closed due to an on-going incident. Please continue to avoid the area.
The cancellation of trains due to snow could add to the millions of pounds rail companies receive each year in compensation, according to PA.
Operators in England and Wales received £181m from Network Rail for unplanned disruption in the 2016/17 financial year, but paid out just £74m in compensation to delayed passengers.
Greater Anglia - which cancelled more than 200 trains in anticipation of the Siberian blast - received £4.4m during the period.
Three people have died in a crash on the A15 in Baston Lincolnshire this morning.
The collision involved a blue Renault Clio and a white Scania lorry, according to Lincolnshire police.
Three people die in #A15#Baston car and lorry crash https://t.co/aHbb3IxkUmpic.twitter.com/EbF5GVyPne
Seventeen cars were involved in a pile-up on the A120 between Colchester and Elmsted Market, according to Essex Police.
One person suffered minor injuries in the incident on the Clacton-bound carriageway, which occurred at 10am on Tuesday morning amid heavy snow.
A120 Eastbound from Colchester to Harwich now has one lane open after rtc complete closure earlier @TheGazette@HarwichStandardpic.twitter.com/ATEuDSoH94
We're dealing with a 17 vehicle collision on the #A120 between Colchester & Elmstead Market (Clacton-bound carriageway).
One person w/ minor injury & a number of cars have been damaged.
Road may need to be closed for recovery.
**PLEASE AVOID.**
Updates as we have them. pic.twitter.com/HRp1hxtL1M
We have had almost 30 calls to road traffic collisions so far this morning across the region.
Please keep plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you and give yourself extra time to get where you need to be.#UKsnow#drivetoarrivepic.twitter.com/v9cOn5GQ1q
Pupils from 131 schools in Kent are off school today after the heavy snow. They are not complaining in Knole Park.
Funnily enough, nobody was interested in travel disruption #KnolePark! #funtimes#sledging#snow#noschool#Kent#beastfromtheeast@bbcsoutheastpic.twitter.com/nOtYysloRn
The Met’s chief forecaster is warning of up to 40cm of snow in some areas of Scotland and north east England on Wednesday and Thursday.
The latest assessment says:
Snow showers will bring variable snow cover, but parts of northeast England and Scotland are expected to see the most frequent snow showers from Wednesday morning to Thursday afternoon. During this time, 5-10 cm of snow is expected quite widely. Where showers become organised though, most likely across Scotland and over the hills of northern England, some places are likely to have an additional 15-25 cm of snow, locally as much as 40 cm. Strong winds will lead to drifting of snow and severe wind chill, while lightning could be an additional hazard, particularly near coasts.
There's a lot of #snow around over the next few days; here's some info on how much you could get ❄️️⛄️ pic.twitter.com/ns9JIEwpWj
The Met Office has expanded its amber be prepared warning for “significant accumulations” of snow on Wednesday and Thursday to cover most of eastern Scotland and north-east England.
The warning says:
Frequent and heavy snow showers are expected on Wednesday and Thursday leading to some significant accumulations developing. Long delays and cancellations on bus, rail and air travel could occur. Roads may become blocked by deep snow, with many stranded vehicles and passengers. Some rural communities might be cut off for several days. Long interruptions to power supplies and other services such as telephone and mobile phone networks, could occur.
Yellow & amber weather warnings for #snow have been updated: https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs Stay #weatheraware@metofficeukpic.twitter.com/At2iJQFpe3
PA has a round up of the latest disruption:
Heavy snow has forced hundreds of schools to close and caused disruption to travel.
The icy blast overnight has caused misery for morning commuters with scores of trains cancelled.
Fen skaters are hopeful of skating on the iced over flooded flatlands south of the Wash for the first time in eight years.
Roger Giles, who posts regular updates on the state of the ice near his home in Welney, Cambridgeshire, reckons there is a 70% chance of skating by the end of the week.
Today Welney wash just of a1101 but the larger areas are still open water we are getting there pic.twitter.com/QKdki21Wc8
Time for a selection of snow videos from Maidstone in Kent; Manchester; Seaton Carew, south of Hartlepool; and York.
This morning’s school run at Seaton Carew! #BeastFromTheEast#Hartlepool#snow@EveningGazettepic.twitter.com/0MrnRaKek0
Here’s what the #BeastFromTheEast looks like at the moment in @CityofYork❄️❄️❄️
⚠️Please be careful throughout the day and check local road & rail networks for latest developments⚠️ pic.twitter.com/OT5VONYG8e
Some 45 school children in Lincolnshire are suffering shock after their school bus collided with a car north of Peterborough and ran off the road in heavy snow.
Lincolnshire police said none of the children were injured but “they are obviously shocked”.
The number of school closures in now running into the hundreds. Here are some of the latest closures to add to the growing list:
A sustained cold snap could be especially costly for the farming sector, particularly sheep farmers, some of whose flocks have already started lambing.
The rural insurer NFU Mutual warns that the cost of burst pipes could run into thousands for individual farms.
New born lambs are vulnerable to hypothermia and frozen water makes jobs take 10 times longer than normal. There is a potential for losses especially for those lambing outside.
If sheep are caught in snow drifts they can easily become buried. And when they are heavily pregnant they not as mobile as they usually are.
“Rug up” in sensible shoes, plenty of warm clothes, gloves and a beanie, advises a hatless and gloveless Ian St John, deputy director of operations at London Ambulance.
Be wary of snow and ice if you're out and about this morning. Help us help you more effectively - please only call us in a genuine emergency #UKsnowpic.twitter.com/kiHSBtpjPc
Photographer Grey Hutton has spent the winter photographing homeless people with a thermal imaging camera to highlight the hardship that so many face on the streets.
Related: Traces of warmth: thermal images of London's homeless
With freezing weather across our city - our emergency shelters will be open for the rest of the week. Services are available 24/7, providing emergency shelter and one-to-one support to help rough sleepers find a way off the streets for good. https://t.co/EsGOU05qGo
The number of schools closed is rising and now well into three figures.
This was the scene at dawn in Tunbridge Wells in Kent, courtesy of our picture editor Guy Lane.
A horse race meeting at Catterick, North Yorkshire has abandoned after heavy overnight snow.
| Racing at Catterick has been abandoned following heavy snow overnight.#BeastFromTheEastpic.twitter.com/9HdNWIHFf6
Dozens of schools have been forced to closed because of snow and freezing temperatures. The latest closures include:
Look out for “more organised snow” in parts of Scotland, northern England and Wales.
Good morning, a band of more organised snow over parts of Scotland, northern England and Wales will continue south westwards this morning. Elsewhere there will be snow showers, some heavy in east and northeast later, and strong winds. https://t.co/DCueM1UjUY ^Patrick pic.twitter.com/xretgaoGxI
Some good news on the roads and railways:
The #A19 in #NorthYorkshire has re-opened southbound after the #A67 - #Crathorne junction following a collision. Recovery is completed, thanks for your patience, safe onward journeys
#TunbridgeWells - The signalling problems have been resolved and service is returning to normal. Disruption is expected to continue until 07:15.
⚠️ #EssexRoad - All lines between Highbury & Islington and Moorgate are currently blocked. Services are being diverted into Kings Cross.
These maps show just how cold and snowy it has been across the UK. Temperatures dropped to minus 6 in some parts of the south-east.
Properly cold this morning with temps widely well below freezing. Quite a few waking up to #uksnow too... pic.twitter.com/bhuvhZnHzA
The Press Association reports that police forces across the UK have recorded a number of crashes on the roads as driving conditions worsen.
Lincolnshire Police tweeted that they were already dealing with five collisions by 6.30am on Tuesday morning and said roads were “particularly hazardous”.
The view from Manchester, with thanks to reader Luke Watson:
@bonniemalkin Just a (rare) dusting of snow here in Chorlton, Manchester #BeastFromTheEastpic.twitter.com/ejej5LwY37
NEW: Delays between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings expected until 08:30 #TunbridgeWellshttps://t.co/BbNgCz3lWc
Struggling to stay warm and look cool? Unsure if it is acceptable to wear a thermal onesie to work in the snow? The Guardian has the answer. Read on for our guide to snow-day style:
Related: Snow-day style: fashionable ways to stay warm in a cold snap
More good tidings from Newcastle airport:
Despite snowfall overnight the airport is not experiencing any disruption to flights this morning. Passengers are advised to arrive as normal and keep up to date with the latest flight information via our website: https://t.co/lcqpJFSf0g
Here’s a bit of good news: Luton airport is operating as normal!
However, passengers are advised to check with their airline and allow extra time before travelling to the airport.
The view from Blackpool:
This is not a drill!!! #beastfromtheeast
We have snow in #Blackpool❄️❄️❄️⛄️⛄️⛄️ pic.twitter.com/OD69RzIcmq
It’s snowing this morning & we hope will make to the #Yorkshire farm where we due to speak #pigweek live to local stations #BeastFromTheEastpic.twitter.com/X1rcQlmHmL
More bad news for commuters in the capital:
NEW: Delays between Highbury & Islington and Moorgate expected until 10:00 https://t.co/fVUb5GgfO7#EssexRoad
#UKSnow - The following changes apply to Greater Anglia services: pic.twitter.com/V2AXePQAGz
Oh dear this is not good timing at all:
❗️ Due to a technical issue our website is currently down. Please use National Rail Enquiries in the meantime and tweet us with any queries. Apologies for any inconvenience. https://t.co/5qceDBHZcC
❗️ Due to a technical issue our website is currently down. Please use National Rail Enquiries in the meantime and tweet us with any queries. Apologies for any inconvenience. https://t.co/rscyXxlg2C
This is where things stand before rush hour gets under way:
So just how cold is it going to get?
Well, conditions are not likely to improve for several days, with forecasters warning that snow will continue will into the week and daytime temperatures would “struggle to get above freezing” across many areas.
Rail updates:
⚠️ There are no trains between Sittingbourne & Sheerness until 07:00 because of the forecast poor weather. The next train from Sittingbourne to Sheerness is at 07:02. #UKSnow
Services will not start until approximately 07:00 and will finish early at approximately 21:00 tonight.
Between these times; we will be running services every 10 minutes calling at all stations.
More trouble on the trains ...
NEW: Disruption to Northern services between Crewe and Sandbach expected until 07:30 #Sandbachhttps://t.co/s5GljJIbie
Some images from the frontline:
No snow falling in Four Oaks as of 5.55am. Side roads not looking too clever though. Broken out the orange hat. #snowuk#SnowWatch#BeastFromTheEastpic.twitter.com/F83v43dD7A
Finally it snowed waited all winter for this #BeastFromTheEastpic.twitter.com/PIwgirDx2T
#BeastFromTheEast has finally hit Cheshire then ❄️❄️❄️ pic.twitter.com/wCHNZzleyB
Woke up to this @bitem_jennie Driving is going to be an adventure today in my big blue beast VS #BeastFromTheEastpic.twitter.com/DA1hRdLtY9
Today’s papers predictably feature a flurry of stories about the weather.
The Express leads with “Blizzards to sweep Britain”. The Star has “Snow joke” and says “pathetic” Britain has ground to a halt after a bit of bad weather. The i leads with “Arctic blast hits UK”.
Tuesday's i: Arctic blast hits UK #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/jUi1Jk4aIb
Tuesday's SUN: Great British flake off #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/mJnqpVZchm
The problems on the roads are moving south, with Highways England saying the M20 in Kent had become blocked eastbound between junctions 8 and 9 by “a number” of stranded lorries.
The Met Office says Kent and parts of the South East had already seen approximately 1cm of snow overnight, while the North East, including Newcastle and Northumberland, had seen between 3cm to 4cm.
The London Overground has started to struggle:
No service between Edmonton Green and Cheshunt due to ice and snow conditions. Tickets accepted on London Underground via reasonable routes. No service between Liverpool Street and Chingford while we fix an electrical fault at Walthamstow Central
Here is the official word on driving and getting to school (via the Press Association):
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said there would be some “quite treacherous driving conditions” due to the snow, as many make their way into work.
We're running our normal timetable today, however there are changes on some routes because of #UKsnow. Details here: https://t.co/QDx2GXoqhy or to confirm your specific journey visit https://t.co/PVPP4JccNv
Police are already dealing with crashes on the A19 and A68 in the north-east. A reminder to please take care on the roads and only travel if absolutely necessary.
The #A19 in #NorthYorkshire remains closed southbound between the #A67#Crathorne and the #A684#Ellerbeck due to a traffic collision, HGV involved. @NYorksPolice are on scene, details including advice for diverted traffic here https://t.co/dvP8tbAUPR
So it begins ...
#UKSnow - An altered timetable has been implemented on a number of London Overground routes today. For full details and the impact to your journey, please see: https://t.co/VQTx6qacKL
So, which parts of the country are affected by the yellow and amber warnings? Behold:
Two amber warnings are in force this morning for #Snow. Heavy snow showers are likely to bring some disruption to road, rail and air services so be prepared for some disruption and stay #weatherawarepic.twitter.com/C0OC4pKFjg
A yellow warning of #Snow is in force throughout today across a large part of the UK. Combined with the snow will be a strong easterly wind bringing some very cold conditions pic.twitter.com/M2mb7eb7DK
The ‘beast’ comes to Britain fresh from hitting Continental Europe. For a taste of what we can expect, our picture editor has pulled together some images of the freezing weather across the Channel.
Related: Siberian blast blankets Europe in snow – in pictures
Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the most extravagantly named cold snap in British history – probably. Yes, today we greet ‘the beast from the east’, a blast of Siberian weather that the Met Office has warned will bring heavy snow and freezing conditions along the east coast of the UK and south-east England. There is likely to be disruption on the roads, railways and in the air. It is, indeed, a monster.
You can read the full story here:
Related: UK braces for ‘beast from the east’ as Met Office warns of snow
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