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Heavy snow envelops much of UK Heavy snow envelops much of UK
(10 minutes later)
Heavy snow has fallen overnight across much of the UK and is disrupting travel - as forecasters warned of the most severe snow for six years.Heavy snow has fallen overnight across much of the UK and is disrupting travel - as forecasters warned of the most severe snow for six years.
South-east England was hit hardest, with London buses pulled from service due to the "adverse weather" and the temporary closure of Gatwick airport.South-east England was hit hardest, with London buses pulled from service due to the "adverse weather" and the temporary closure of Gatwick airport.
The snow also resulted in Jack-knifed lorries blocking the M1 and the M25.The snow also resulted in Jack-knifed lorries blocking the M1 and the M25.
The conditions led the Met Office to issue an extreme weather warning for London and the south east of England.The conditions led the Met Office to issue an extreme weather warning for London and the south east of England.
Up to 6in (15cm) of snow was predicted in Kent, London, Surrey and Hampshire as temperatures plummeted overnight.Up to 6in (15cm) of snow was predicted in Kent, London, Surrey and Hampshire as temperatures plummeted overnight.
A BAA spokesman said the runway at Gatwick was closed for two hours between 2000 and 2200 GMT on Sunday, with 23 flights cancelled and 18 diverted to other airports, but a Gatwick airport spokesman said the airport had now reopened and the runway had been cleared.A BAA spokesman said the runway at Gatwick was closed for two hours between 2000 and 2200 GMT on Sunday, with 23 flights cancelled and 18 diverted to other airports, but a Gatwick airport spokesman said the airport had now reopened and the runway had been cleared.
Individual airlines are suffering delays and cancellations as a result of the weather, however.Individual airlines are suffering delays and cancellations as a result of the weather, however.
The snowfall has not disrupted services at Heathrow or Stansted airports. Stansted Airport said it hoped to have its runway re-opened "soon" and passengers were being checked in but told to expect delays and cancellations.
Heathrow Airport has not reported any problems.
'Dangerous driving''Dangerous driving'
A BBC reporter at Gatwick said many people were stranded there with trains services cancelled and taxis out of service due to gridlock on the M25, and that long queues had built up for hotels.A BBC reporter at Gatwick said many people were stranded there with trains services cancelled and taxis out of service due to gridlock on the M25, and that long queues had built up for hotels.
Passengers due to fly out during the day are being urged to double-check that their flights are not affected before they begin their journeys.Passengers due to fly out during the day are being urged to double-check that their flights are not affected before they begin their journeys.
London City Airport was also forced to temporarily close its runway to de-ice, with flights diverted to Heathrow and Luton.London City Airport was also forced to temporarily close its runway to de-ice, with flights diverted to Heathrow and Luton.
People often treat their car as an overcoat. But when you break down you are suddenly vulnerable Andy Taylor, AAPeople often treat their car as an overcoat. But when you break down you are suddenly vulnerable Andy Taylor, AA
Transport for London said all London buses had been withdrawn from service due "to adverse weather and dangerous driving conditions", Scotland Yard said it had reports of a number of crashes in the early hours, though no-one was seriously hurt.Transport for London said all London buses had been withdrawn from service due "to adverse weather and dangerous driving conditions", Scotland Yard said it had reports of a number of crashes in the early hours, though no-one was seriously hurt.
A BBC reporter said he saw many people left confused and distressed after waiting for long periods for buses, only to see them drive past without being in service, and then realise they would have to walk long distances home.A BBC reporter said he saw many people left confused and distressed after waiting for long periods for buses, only to see them drive past without being in service, and then realise they would have to walk long distances home.
There are warnings of hazardous conditions on the M6 in Greater Manchester, while the M60, M66 and M602 have also been affected by the snow.
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 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 London-bound M20 in Kent was temporarily closed between junction nine at the Ashford turn-off and junction eight at the Leeds Castle turn-off because of the treacherous conditions.The London-bound M20 in Kent was temporarily closed between junction nine at the Ashford turn-off and junction eight at the Leeds Castle turn-off because of the treacherous conditions.
On Sunday Mark Underhill, a manager at Trafficlink's south east headquarters, advised against travelling on the M25.On Sunday Mark Underhill, a manager at Trafficlink's south east headquarters, advised against travelling on the M25.
IMPACT OF THE SNOWFALL London buses withdrawnGatwick Airport temporarily closedPassengers stranded at GatwickTrain services cancelledJack-knifed lorries obstruct M1 and M25IMPACT OF THE SNOWFALL London buses withdrawnGatwick Airport temporarily closedPassengers stranded at GatwickTrain services cancelledJack-knifed lorries obstruct M1 and M25
He also said the A406 eastbound between Edmonton and Chingford, and the A12 London-bound from Chelmsford, were also experiencing heavy traffic jams due to snow.He also said the A406 eastbound between Edmonton and Chingford, and the A12 London-bound from Chelmsford, were also experiencing heavy traffic jams due to snow.
He said minor roads in Kent, Essex and Surrey were likely to be even affected even more.He said minor roads in Kent, Essex and Surrey were likely to be even affected even more.
The Highways Agency said there have been too many minor accidents on the roads "to put a number on".The Highways Agency said there have been too many minor accidents on the roads "to put a number on".
The agency recommended people should only take essential journeys.The agency recommended people should only take essential journeys.
One motorist, driving in the Midlands, told the BBC conditions were much clearer there, but that highway officers told him they had responded to 1,735 incidents over a 24-hour period in the East Midlands alone.One motorist, driving in the Midlands, told the BBC conditions were much clearer there, but that highway officers told him they had responded to 1,735 incidents over a 24-hour period in the East Midlands alone.
'Flirting with hypothermia''Flirting with hypothermia'
BBC Weather Centre forecaster Peter Gibbs said on Sunday: "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."BBC Weather Centre forecaster Peter Gibbs said on Sunday: "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."
Tom Defty, head of forecasting operations at MetService, said some areas of high ground could see as many as 8in (20cm) of snow.Tom Defty, head of forecasting operations at MetService, said some areas of high ground could see as many as 8in (20cm) of snow.
Icy winds heading for the UK will also make temperatures feel "sub zero" as the coldest winter in 13 years continues. Much of the UK is predicted to see snow, though the Pennines and south east England are expected to bear the brunt.Icy winds heading for the UK will also make temperatures feel "sub zero" as the coldest winter in 13 years continues. Much of the UK is predicted to see snow, though the Pennines and south east England are expected to bear the brunt.
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.
The Highways Agency said people should only take essential journeysThe Highways Agency said people should only take essential journeys
Mark Munnoch from the Highways Agency said the organisation was well prepared to deal with snowfall over roads after criticism over its reaction to severe weather in 2003.Mark Munnoch from the Highways Agency said the organisation was well prepared to deal with snowfall over roads after criticism over its reaction to severe weather in 2003.
"We've increased the number of traffic officer patrols, we've brought in extra staff to our control rooms across the country and our gritter staff are out and about in readiness for this," he said."We've increased the number of traffic officer patrols, we've brought in extra staff to our control rooms across the country and our gritter staff are out and about in readiness for this," he said.
A Highways Agency spokeswoman said the gritters had been working through the night to ensure the entire English and Welsh road network was covered.A Highways Agency spokeswoman said the gritters had been working through the night to ensure the entire English and Welsh road network was covered.
The AA have warned motorists to ensure they keep warm clothes in their vehicles if they were planning to go out, or else risk "flirting with hypothermia".The AA have warned motorists to ensure they keep warm clothes in their vehicles if they were planning to go out, or else risk "flirting with hypothermia".
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.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.
"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.
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