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Southern Britain braces for snow Extreme weather warning over snow
(about 9 hours later)
Snowstorms from Russia are expected to hit south-eastern England through Sunday night and into Monday morning, forecasters have warned. Snow is falling over parts of England and Wales - as forecasters warn of the heaviest and most widespread snowfall for six years.
Bitter easterly winds will cause snow to drift, with falls of 5cm (1.9in) to 10cm (3.9in) predicted over many parts of England and Wales. Eastern England, the Midlands and eastern Wales are experiencing showers.
The BBC Weather Centre said conditions could be "at least as bad" as in 2003 when motorists were trapped on the M11. Kent, London, Surrey and Hampshire will see up to 15cm of snow overnight, with much of the country set to be severely affected by Monday.
Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to be less badly affected. Severe disruption is expected to roads and airports, with the M2 hit first.
Apart from a few light snow flurries in the east of England, conditions would mainly be dry during the daylight hours of Sunday, the BBC Weather Centre said. It is the first sign of what is to come Peter GibbsBBC Weather Centre The Met Office is warning of severe weather for much of the country over the coming days, in what is expected to become the heaviest snowfall since January 2003.
The Queen was caught in an early dusting of snow as she chatted to onlookers outside West Newton Church, near the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
BBC Weather Centre forecaster Peter Gibbs said: "It is struggling to settle at the moment, but it is the first sign of what is to come.
"We are expecting as much as 15cm of snow across the South East - it's been a few years since we had that amount in that area. It is likely to be very disruptive to travel."
Extra careExtra care
But after dark on Sunday night and through to the rush hour on Monday morning, "disruptive snowfall" is expected across central, eastern and southern England. Advertisement
There were light snow flurries in Sussex on Sunday afternoon
Icy winds heading for the UK will also make temperatures feel "sub zero" as the coldest winter in 13 years continues.Icy winds heading for the UK will also make temperatures feel "sub zero" as the coldest winter in 13 years continues.
Night-time temperatures are set to drop to -2C (28F) as a blast of cold air sweeps in from the North Sea.Night-time temperatures are set to drop to -2C (28F) as a blast of cold air sweeps in from the North Sea.
On Saturday, winds began gusting at up to 70mph (112km/h) over the hills of northern Britain and snow could fall as deep as 20cm (7.8in) over high ground in the coming days.On Saturday, winds began gusting at up to 70mph (112km/h) over the hills of northern Britain and snow could fall as deep as 20cm (7.8in) over high ground in the coming days.
BBC weather forecaster Alex Deakin said: "Temperatures during the day will reach one or two degrees above freezing but with the significant wind chill it will feel sub-zero everywhere." A robin braves the snow to feed in Chatham, Kent (Photo: Barry West)The AA have warned motorists to ensure they keep warm clothes in their vehicles if they were planning to go out.
The AA have warned motorists to ensure they keep warm clothes in their vehicles if they were planning to go out.
The organisation's Andy Taylor said: "People often treat their car as an overcoat.The organisation's Andy Taylor said: "People often treat their car as an overcoat.
"But when you break down you are suddenly vulnerable to the weather."But when you break down you are suddenly vulnerable to the weather.
"If you break down on a motorway, the safety advice is to get out of the car and wait behind the barrier. Unless you have extra clothes you really are flirting with hypothermia.""If you break down on a motorway, the safety advice is to get out of the car and wait behind the barrier. Unless you have extra clothes you really are flirting with hypothermia."
Slightly milder air will move in during Tuesday, with snow mainly confined to hills and in other areas precipitation is expected to turn to rain.Slightly milder air will move in during Tuesday, with snow mainly confined to hills and in other areas precipitation is expected to turn to rain.
Are you prepared for the coming snow? Has the bad weather arrived with you already? Show us your snow by sending pictures in via the form below.Are you prepared for the coming snow? Has the bad weather arrived with you already? Show us your snow by sending pictures in via the form below.
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100.You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100.
Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
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