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/7814922.stm

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Freezing temperatures hit new low Warning for drivers after new low
(about 3 hours later)
Temperatures plunged to -12C (10.4F) overnight, on the coldest night so far of Britain's big freeze. Motorists were warned to take care on the roads after temperatures plunged to -12C (10.4F) overnight, on the coldest night so far of Britain's big freeze.
The low was at Benson, in Oxfordshire, as the cold snap of the last eight days is forecast to last into the weekend. A Met Office warning for ice was issued for Northern Ireland, northern England, the north Midlands and the South East.
The water supply to about 6,000 homes in the Rhondda valley, south Wales, continues to be affected after pipes feeding a treatment works froze. The low was at Benson, in Oxfordshire and the cold snap of the last eight days is set to last into the weekend.
The Met Office has issued warnings of icy roads in eastern Northern Ireland, north-west England and Kent. But night time temperatures are forecast to be more mild with averages falling to about -1C (30.2F).
The BBC Weather Centre said snow and freezing rain were set to spread from northern England and Northern Ireland to the Midlands and south-east England. The BBC Weather Centre said snow and freezing rain spread from northern England and Northern Ireland to the Midlands and south-east England early on.
BBC forecaster Chris Fawkes said: "The thing we're most worried about this morning is icy roads in these areas." BBC forecaster Liam Dutton said: "There is still the odd flake of snow here and there but generally it's a drying out process for the rest of the day."
During the day temperatures will rise to 2C (35.6F) to 3C (37.4F) across the UK and there will be more cloud. Temperatures are predicted to reach 2C (35.6F) to 3C (37.4F) across the UK but there will be more cloud and it will be milder towards the north west of Scotland.
Freezing conditionsFreezing conditions
About 30 schools are closed in Cumbria because of snow and 15 remain shut in parts of north, west and south Wales. The cold snap has resulted in the unusual sight of the fountains in London's Trafalgar Square fountains being frozen over.
Advertisement Meanwhile, the water supply to 6,000 homes in the Rhondda valley, south Wales, continues to be affected by frozen pipes.Temperatures are set to remain low throughout the day on Wednesday
Fountains frozen over in Trafalgar Square, London About 30 schools closed for the day in Cumbria, which saw up to 3 in (7.6 cm) of snow overnight, and 15 remain shut in parts of north, west and south Wales.
Meanwhile, the National Pensioner Convention warned that 12 pensioners could die every hour during the cold snap. The 50-pupil Ysgol Rhewl in Ruthin, North Wales closed after thieves stole the oil needed to heat its buildings.
The AA and RAC said they had dealt with an estimated 50,000 call-outs over the past two days.
The National Pensioner Convention warned that 12 pensioners could die every hour during the cold snap.
It called on the government to double the winter fuel allowance to £500 for every household and introduce an industry-wide tariff for older customers.It called on the government to double the winter fuel allowance to £500 for every household and introduce an industry-wide tariff for older customers.
The current freezing conditions have been caused by Arctic air sweeping across Scandinavia and over the North Sea.The current freezing conditions have been caused by Arctic air sweeping across Scandinavia and over the North Sea.
But temperatures are still a long way off the record low of -27C (-16.6F) in northern Scotland 14 years ago.But temperatures are still a long way off the record low of -27C (-16.6F) in northern Scotland 14 years ago.
Weather pay-outsWeather pay-outs
Millions of pensioners and vulnerable people around the UK have become eligible for cold weather payments.Millions of pensioners and vulnerable people around the UK have become eligible for cold weather payments.
HAVE YOUR SAYI will not be going out until it gets warmer or the ice melts Dee Dee, Rhyl Send us your comments and picturesHAVE YOUR SAYI will not be going out until it gets warmer or the ice melts Dee Dee, Rhyl Send us your comments and pictures
The Department for Work and Pensions said cold weather payments had now been triggered at 52 weather stations around the UK since the start of this winter.The Department for Work and Pensions said cold weather payments had now been triggered at 52 weather stations around the UK since the start of this winter.
The payment, which goes to people in receipt of certain benefits - mainly pensioners, severely disabled people and families with a young or severely disabled child - rose this year from £8.50 to £25-a-week for each spell of cold weather.The payment, which goes to people in receipt of certain benefits - mainly pensioners, severely disabled people and families with a young or severely disabled child - rose this year from £8.50 to £25-a-week for each spell of cold weather.
It is paid automatically to those who qualify, including the estimated 2.7m households in receipt of pension credit.It is paid automatically to those who qualify, including the estimated 2.7m households in receipt of pension credit.