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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Snow forecast for much of Britain | Snow forecast for much of Britain |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Parts of northern Britain could see snowfalls of 20cm (7.8in), weather forecasters are warning. | Parts of northern Britain could see snowfalls of 20cm (7.8in), weather forecasters are warning. |
| Blizzards are expected across most of Scotland, northern England and the north Midlands on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning. | Blizzards are expected across most of Scotland, northern England and the north Midlands on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning. |
| In London, the south east, the south west and south Wales, heavy rain is forecast to fall, but it could turn to ice in places it falls on cold ground. | In London, the south east, the south west and south Wales, heavy rain is forecast to fall, but it could turn to ice in places it falls on cold ground. |
| Met Office experts said rush-hour driving on Thursday would be difficult. | Met Office experts said rush-hour driving on Thursday would be difficult. |
| A spokesman said: "We had weather warnings out this morning and it was an icy start for most of the UK. | A spokesman said: "We had weather warnings out this morning and it was an icy start for most of the UK. |
| Strong winds | Strong winds |
| "There is likely to be sun in the afternoon, but then in the evening temperatures will drop away and there is a weather system that will move in from the Atlantic. | "There is likely to be sun in the afternoon, but then in the evening temperatures will drop away and there is a weather system that will move in from the Atlantic. |
| "That will lead to snow in Northern Ireland, although it will turn back to rain after a couple of hours. | "That will lead to snow in Northern Ireland, although it will turn back to rain after a couple of hours. |
| "The main risk is for falls of snow across the north Midlands, northern England and Scotland." | "The main risk is for falls of snow across the north Midlands, northern England and Scotland." |
| The spokesman added: "On higher ground we could see up to 20cm and lower down and in more populated areas 2cm to 5cm is likely [1in to 2in]. | The spokesman added: "On higher ground we could see up to 20cm and lower down and in more populated areas 2cm to 5cm is likely [1in to 2in]. |
| "There may be a dusting for inland Wales and parts of the Midlands."The north of England has been buffeted by cold weather this week | |
| The snow is expected to be accompanied by strong winds, which means there is a real risk of blizzards and drifting. | The snow is expected to be accompanied by strong winds, which means there is a real risk of blizzards and drifting. |
| The spokesman said snow showers might be seen in Oxfordshire and the northern Home Counties, although it was unlikely to lie because it would turn to rain later. | The spokesman said snow showers might be seen in Oxfordshire and the northern Home Counties, although it was unlikely to lie because it would turn to rain later. |
| Across London, the south east, the south west and areas to the south of the M4 motorway, heavy rain is forecast. Where it falls on cold ground there is a risk of icy patches, and difficult driving conditions. | Across London, the south east, the south west and areas to the south of the M4 motorway, heavy rain is forecast. Where it falls on cold ground there is a risk of icy patches, and difficult driving conditions. |
| The Met Office spokesman said Thursday morning's rush hour would be difficult, but that much of the snow in England would be gone by lunchtime, although it is tipped to linger longer in Scotland. | The Met Office spokesman said Thursday morning's rush hour would be difficult, but that much of the snow in England would be gone by lunchtime, although it is tipped to linger longer in Scotland. |
| On Tuesday, about 200 schools in the north-west of England were closed because of 2.5cm (1in) of snow causing poor driving conditions. | On Tuesday, about 200 schools in the north-west of England were closed because of 2.5cm (1in) of snow causing poor driving conditions. |
| 'White Christmas' | 'White Christmas' |
| In Scotland, the emergency services urged motorists to take care as heavy snow hit northern areas, and there was black ice on roads across the country. | In Scotland, the emergency services urged motorists to take care as heavy snow hit northern areas, and there was black ice on roads across the country. |
| Meanwhile, bookmakers have cut the odds on a white Christmas in the wake of the snow already seen and the further falls forecast. | Meanwhile, bookmakers have cut the odds on a white Christmas in the wake of the snow already seen and the further falls forecast. |
| Ladbrokes has cut the odds on a white Christmas in London to 11/4 from 3/1 following another run of money. | Ladbrokes has cut the odds on a white Christmas in London to 11/4 from 3/1 following another run of money. |
| The bookmaker was originally offering 7/1 for snow on 25 December in the capital. | The bookmaker was originally offering 7/1 for snow on 25 December in the capital. |
| Glasgow is 2/1 to see snow, from an opening quote of 8/1. Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester are at 4/1. | Glasgow is 2/1 to see snow, from an opening quote of 8/1. Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester are at 4/1. |
| A Ladbrokes spokesman said: "We're frozen with fear at the prospect of a white Christmas. Interest in the traditional festive wager has gone into overdrive this year." | A Ladbrokes spokesman said: "We're frozen with fear at the prospect of a white Christmas. Interest in the traditional festive wager has gone into overdrive this year." |