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Warning for drivers after new low Warning for drivers after new low
(30 minutes later)
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.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.
A Met Office warning for ice was issued for Northern Ireland, northern England, the north Midlands and the South East.A Met Office warning for ice was issued for Northern Ireland, northern England, the north Midlands and the South East.
The low was at Benson, in Oxfordshire and the cold snap of the last eight days is set to last into the weekend. The water supply to 6,000 homes in the Rhondda valley, south Wales, continues to be affected by frozen pipes.
But night time temperatures are forecast to be more mild with averages falling to about -1C (30.2F). 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 spread from northern England and Northern Ireland to the Midlands and south-east England early on. But the cold snap of the last eight days is set to last into the weekend.
Wednesday's overnight low was recorded at Benson, in Oxfordshire.
The BBC Weather Centre said snow and freezing rain spread from northern England and Northern Ireland to the Midlands and south-east England.
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."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."
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.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.
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Driving tips for coping with icy road conditionsDriving tips for coping with icy road conditions
The cold snap has resulted in the unusual sight of the fountains in London's Trafalgar Square fountains being frozen over.The cold snap has resulted in the unusual sight of the fountains in London's Trafalgar Square fountains being frozen over.
Meanwhile, the water supply to 6,000 homes in the Rhondda valley, south Wales, continues to be affected by frozen pipes.
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.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.
The 50-pupil Ysgol Rhewl in Ruthin, North Wales closed after thieves stole the oil needed to heat its buildings.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 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. Nature conservation groups, including the RSPB and the British Trust for Ornithology, have urged people visiting wetlands and the coast not to disturb water birds as it could threaten their survival in the cold weather.
Meanwhile, 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.