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Heavy snow envelops much of UK Heavy snow hits much of England
(about 1 hour 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 across large parts of England disrupting travel and closing schools 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 hardest hit, with London buses pulled from service and Gatwick airport closing for a time.
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 Met Office has issued an extreme weather warning for England, Wales and parts of eastern Scotland. More snow is forecast later and on Tuesday.
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.
Heathrow Airport has had to shut one of its two runways and says it will take around two hours to reopen it. There are "significant" delays and cancellations.
Gatwick and Stansted airports are open, although fewer aircraft are able to take off.
Twenty three flights had to be cancelled and 18 diverted to other airports after Gatwick closed its runway for two hours on Sunday evening.
'Dangerous driving''Dangerous driving'
Heathrow Airport has had to shut one of its two runways and says it will take about two hours to reopen. There are "significant" delays and cancellations.
London City Airport is currently closed.
Gatwick and Stansted airports are open, although fewer aircraft are able to take off.
Some 23 flights had to be cancelled and 18 diverted to other airports after Gatwick closed its runway for two hours on Sunday evening. There is no service on the Gatwick Express.
IMPACT OF THE SNOWFALL London buses withdrawnGatwick Airport temporarily closedPassengers stranded at GatwickTrain services cancelledJack-knifed lorries obstruct M1 and M25
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. Transport for London said all London buses had been withdrawn from service due "to adverse weather and dangerous driving conditions".
People often treat their car as an overcoat. But when you break down you are suddenly vulnerable Andy Taylor, AA 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. The Highways Agency said people should only take essential journeys
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.
There are also problems on some London Underground lines, with the Circle and Hammersmith and City lines suspended.There are also problems on some London Underground lines, with the Circle and Hammersmith and City lines suspended.
And all services are currently suspended until further notice on Southeastern Trains.And all services are currently suspended until further notice on Southeastern Trains.
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.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 M25 is closed clockwise between Reigate and Leatherhead, junctions 8 and 9 and there are reports of several vehicles becoming stuck in the snow.
'Flirting with hypothermia'
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.
IMPACT 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 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 highway officers told him they had responded to 1,735 incidents over a 24-hour period in the East Midlands alone.
'Flirting with hypothermia' 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.
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." It added that the number of traffic officer patrols had been increased, there were extra staff to control rooms across the country and gritters had been working through the night.
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.
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 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.
"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.
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.
"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.
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.
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