This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7762610.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 13 Version 14
Schools close because of snowfall Schools close because of snowfall
(about 2 hours later)
More than 500 schools in northern England and Scotland have closed because of poor weather conditions.More than 500 schools in northern England and Scotland have closed because of poor weather conditions.
Although the weather was not as bad as first anticipated, forecasters warn blizzard conditions and snowfalls of 20cm (7.8in) are still possible. Although forecasters say the weather is clearing up, police have warned drivers to continue to be careful on the roads.
The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning across Yorkshire, and in Scarborough and the North Yorkshire moors 1,600 homes have no electricity. In Lancashire, the Army was called out to help rescue 70 people trapped in heavy snow.
Electricity company NEDL said it was investigating the cause. The 4th Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment freed 50 vehicles stuck on The Grane Road, between Helmshore and the M65 at Blackburn.
The Met Office has forecast further outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow over north-east Scotland and some heavy showers in Wales, Northern Ireland and the south and west of England.
Electricity company NEDL is still investigating after 1,600 homes in Scarborough and the North Yorkshire moors lost their power.
The company said the weather was hampering its efforts to fix the problem.
'Strong winds'
In Kelso, on the Scottish Borders, hundreds of homes had no gas supplies for a third night, with engineers trying to reconnect the 350 out of 3,000 properties still affected.In Kelso, on the Scottish Borders, hundreds of homes had no gas supplies for a third night, with engineers trying to reconnect the 350 out of 3,000 properties still affected.
Snow was reported in Argyll, Dumfries and Galloway and on high ground throughout the country - but the weather was not as bad as it was feared it would be.Snow was reported in Argyll, Dumfries and Galloway and on high ground throughout the country - but the weather was not as bad as it was feared it would be.
'Lane closures'
Forecasters said this was because temperatures had risen slightly during the night, transforming much of the expected snow into rain.Forecasters said this was because temperatures had risen slightly during the night, transforming much of the expected snow into rain.
But strong winds caused drifting, which led to roads being shut and lane closures on dual-carriageways on higher ground.But strong winds caused drifting, which led to roads being shut and lane closures on dual-carriageways on higher ground.
In Lancashire, 180 schools closed because of the weather while heavy and drifting snow in parts of County Durham and Darlington were also reported.In Lancashire, 180 schools closed because of the weather while heavy and drifting snow in parts of County Durham and Darlington were also reported.
About 200 schools in Yorkshire and 119 schools in Greater Manchester also shut because of the snow. In Blackburn, all football matches due to take place on council pitches have been postponed.About 200 schools in Yorkshire and 119 schools in Greater Manchester also shut because of the snow. In Blackburn, all football matches due to take place on council pitches have been postponed.
In Dumfries and Galloway, where 15cm (5.9in) of snow fell in some places, 16 schools shut their doors, with a further 10 in Aberdeenshire closed or partially closed.HAVE YOUR SAY The local kids are coming back from school because the buses cannot get through Steve Day Send us your commentsIn Dumfries and Galloway, where 15cm (5.9in) of snow fell in some places, 16 schools shut their doors, with a further 10 in Aberdeenshire closed or partially closed.HAVE YOUR SAY The local kids are coming back from school because the buses cannot get through Steve Day Send us your comments
Passengers at Leeds Bradford International Airport faced "indefinite delays" because of the snow.Passengers at Leeds Bradford International Airport faced "indefinite delays" because of the snow.
Police also warned motorists of hazardous driving conditions.Police also warned motorists of hazardous driving conditions.
A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said accidents had occurred as icy conditions had caused vehicles to skid off the road.A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said accidents had occurred as icy conditions had caused vehicles to skid off the road.
Blizzard conditions have closed the A66 Trans-Pennine route westbound between North Yorkshire and Cumbria and problems have been reported on the M62.Blizzard conditions have closed the A66 Trans-Pennine route westbound between North Yorkshire and Cumbria and problems have been reported on the M62.
The A1 northbound has closed after a lorry jack-knifed between junctions 56-57 and Durham Police has closed the snow gates on the A66 at Bowes both ways until heavy snow subsides.The A1 northbound has closed after a lorry jack-knifed between junctions 56-57 and Durham Police has closed the snow gates on the A66 at Bowes both ways until heavy snow subsides.
Northumbria Police have warned motorists taking the A1 north of Alnwick to be careful. They blamed snowfall for a number of accidents as drivers crashed into parked cars. Northumbria Police warned motorists taking the A1 north of Alnwick to be careful. They blamed snowfall for a number of accidents as drivers crashed into parked cars.
The A68 at Carter Bar and at Ellishaw, towards Otterburn, was reported to be "virtually impassable".
In County Durham, a police spokesman said: "There are problems on the roads pretty much everywhere you look."In County Durham, a police spokesman said: "There are problems on the roads pretty much everywhere you look."
The main travel routes in Scotland are open, although the A9 is "passable with care" at Drumochter.The main travel routes in Scotland are open, although the A9 is "passable with care" at Drumochter.
Chris Iveson snapped this view outside his window in Grasmerein, Lake DistrictChris Iveson snapped this view outside his window in Grasmerein, Lake District
A Met Office spokesman said: "The main risk is for falls of snow across the north Midlands, northern England and Scotland.A Met Office spokesman said: "The main risk is for falls of snow across the north Midlands, northern England and Scotland.
"On higher ground we could see up to 20cm and lower down and in more populated areas 2cm-5cm (1in-2in) is likely. "On higher ground we could see up to 20cm and lower down and in more populated areas 2cm-5cm (1in-2in) is likely."
Throughout Thursday temperatures are expected to rise to 3-4C (37-39F) in Scotland and 10C (50F) across southern England.
The AA advised commuters to keep to main roads and drive at a speed suitable for the conditions.The AA advised commuters to keep to main roads and drive at a speed suitable for the conditions.
AA president Edmund King said: "Commuters can help themselves by checking information on the local weather and travel situation, following practical tips like not leaving your car on a sloped drive overnight, and thinking about walking or using public transport if practical."AA president Edmund King said: "Commuters can help themselves by checking information on the local weather and travel situation, following practical tips like not leaving your car on a sloped drive overnight, and thinking about walking or using public transport if practical."
Meanwhile, bookmakers have cut the odds on a white Christmas.Meanwhile, bookmakers have cut the odds on a white Christmas.
Ladbrokes cut the odds for one in London to 11/4 from 3/1.Ladbrokes cut the odds for one in London to 11/4 from 3/1.
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.
Send your pictures and videos of snow to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos of snow to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.