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Heavy snow hits much of Britain Heavy snow hits much of Britain
(20 minutes later)
Heavy snow has fallen across large parts of the UK, disrupting travel and closing thousands of schools.Heavy snow has fallen across large parts of the UK, disrupting travel and closing thousands of schools.
South-east England has the worst snow it has seen for 18 years, causing all London buses to be pulled from service and the closure of Heathrow's runways.South-east England has the worst snow it has seen for 18 years, causing all London buses to be pulled from service and the closure of Heathrow's runways.
The Met Office has issued an extreme weather warning for England, Wales and parts of eastern Scotland.The Met Office has issued an extreme weather warning for England, Wales and parts of eastern Scotland.
Up to four inches is forecast to fall later on Monday in south-east England, and up to 12 inches in the north-east.Up to four inches is forecast to fall later on Monday in south-east England, and up to 12 inches in the north-east.
Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "We are doing everything in our power to ensure services, road, rail and airports are open as quickly as possible, and we are continuing to monitor this throughout the day."Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "We are doing everything in our power to ensure services, road, rail and airports are open as quickly as possible, and we are continuing to monitor this throughout the day."
'Dangerous driving''Dangerous driving'
The BBC Weather Centre said up to 6in (15cm) of snow fell overnight with temperatures unlikely to get above 0C for the rest of the day.The BBC Weather Centre said up to 6in (15cm) of snow fell overnight with temperatures unlikely to get above 0C for the rest of the day.
BBC weather forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said the worst-affected area has been the Thames Valley and Greater London where the transport network is at its most concentrated, which is why there has been such chaos.A snowman greeted BBC website reader David Shipway on his doorstepBBC weather forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said the worst-affected area has been the Thames Valley and Greater London where the transport network is at its most concentrated, which is why there has been such chaos.A snowman greeted BBC website reader David Shipway on his doorstep
He said some parts of London have seen up to 8 inches (20 cm) of snow and through Monday evening there will be another band of snow.He said some parts of London have seen up to 8 inches (20 cm) of snow and through Monday evening there will be another band of snow.
Overall, some parts of London could see a foot (30cm) of snow, while northern England and the Pennines could see as much as 20 inches (50cm) - made worse by strong winds which will cause snow to drift, he added.Overall, some parts of London could see a foot (30cm) of snow, while northern England and the Pennines could see as much as 20 inches (50cm) - made worse by strong winds which will cause snow to drift, he added.
Thousands of school children across England and Wales woke up to the news that their school was closed for the day.Thousands of school children across England and Wales woke up to the news that their school was closed for the day.
Most Surrey schools are closed, while in Essex, more than 450 shut and 255 Berkshire schools are closed. Leicestershire and Rutland gave pupils at 200 schools the day off.Most Surrey schools are closed, while in Essex, more than 450 shut and 255 Berkshire schools are closed. Leicestershire and Rutland gave pupils at 200 schools the day off.
Thousands more are closed across Wales, London, north-east England, East and West Sussex, Kent, Norfolk Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Suffolk, where snow-ploughs were out on the county's roads for the first time in more than 15 years.Thousands more are closed across Wales, London, north-east England, East and West Sussex, Kent, Norfolk Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Suffolk, where snow-ploughs were out on the county's roads for the first time in more than 15 years.
Hospitals in London have put out an emergency call to staff to come into work because of a big increase in 999 calls. Hospitals in London have put out an emergency call to staff to come into work because of a big increase in 999 calls, while many non-urgent operations have been cancelled and ambulance response times have slowed.
Bad weather has also forced the closure of the Old Bailey courts in London and crown courts in Lewes and Hove. IMPACT OF THE SNOWFALL One of two runways closed at HeathrowPassengers stranded at GatwickSouthampton Airport closed BAA London City and Luton airports closed London City AirportLuton Airport London buses withdrawn Transport for London Train services cancelled National Rail Enquiries Hundreds of schools closed Around the UK: Latest updates Bad weather has also forced the closure of the Old Bailey courts in London and crown courts in Southwark, Blackfriars and Lewes. IMPACT OF THE SNOWFALL One of two runways closed at HeathrowPassengers stranded at GatwickSouthampton Airport closed BAA London City and Luton airports closed London City AirportLuton Airport London buses withdrawn Transport for London Train services cancelled National Rail Enquiries Hundreds of schools closed Around the UK: Latest updates
In north Wales, two climbers have been killed on Snowdon. The mountain saw heavy snow all weekend.In north Wales, two climbers have been killed on Snowdon. The mountain saw heavy snow all weekend.
The men were reported missing on Sunday night. A rescue team found their bodies on Monday morning.The men were reported missing on Sunday night. A rescue team found their bodies on Monday morning.
Air travel has been badly affected.Air travel has been badly affected.
All flights at Heathrow Airport near London have been cancelled until 1700 GMT and customers whose flights have been cancelled are being advised not to come to the airport.All flights at Heathrow Airport near London have been cancelled until 1700 GMT and customers whose flights have been cancelled are being advised not to come to the airport.
Earlier a plane slipped off a taxiway at Heathrow due to the snow and icy conditions.Earlier a plane slipped off a taxiway at Heathrow due to the snow and icy conditions.
Passengers aboard the Cyprus Airways flight were unharmed.Passengers aboard the Cyprus Airways flight were unharmed.
The British Airports Authority said the front wheel of the plane landed in the grass area and they were in the process of removing the plane.
  • The northern runway at Heathrow remains closed. All flights from Heathrow Terminal 5 have been cancelled.
  • London City, Luton and Southampton airports are closed. Norwich and Leeds Bradford airports have now reopened.
  • BAA has warned passengers travelling to and from Heathrow and Stansted airports to expect "significant delays and cancellations".
  • BAA Scotland said four flights from Glasgow to Heathrow and London City were cancelled and one to Cardiff.
  • BA says it has cancelled 65 flights, while 73 Ryanair flights are grounded.
  • Gatwick is 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.
The British Airports Authority said the front wheel of the plane landed in the grass area and they were in the process of removing the plane.
  • The northern runway at Heathrow remains closed. All flights from Heathrow Terminal 5 have been cancelled.
  • London City, Luton and Southampton airports are closed. Norwich and Leeds Bradford airports have now reopened.
  • BAA has warned passengers travelling to and from Heathrow and Stansted airports to expect "significant delays and cancellations". DEPTH OF SNOWFALL North Downs: 11 inches (28cm)London: 8 inches (20cm)Berkshire: 6 inches (15cm)East Anglia: 4 inches (10cm)Midlands: 2 inches (6cm)Northern England: 2 inches (6cm)
  • BAA Scotland said four flights from Glasgow to Heathrow and London City were cancelled and one to Cardiff.
  • BA says it has cancelled 65 flights, while 73 Ryanair flights are grounded.
  • Gatwick is 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.
On the roads, motorists were being warned of dangerous driving conditions.On the roads, motorists were being warned of dangerous driving conditions.
There have been a string of accidents on many motorways and A roads, causing road closures, long delays and vehicles to become stranded.There have been a string of accidents on many motorways and A roads, causing road closures, long delays and vehicles to become stranded.
LINKS TO OUR UK COVERAGE London: Snow disrupts travelSouth: Heavy snow fallsSouth East: Roads and schools closedWest Midlands: Schools closedNorth: School closuresScotland: Flights disruptionWales: Braced for snowfall NI: Flights hit by snowLINKS TO OUR UK COVERAGE London: Snow disrupts travelSouth: Heavy snow fallsSouth East: Roads and schools closedWest Midlands: Schools closedNorth: School closuresScotland: Flights disruptionWales: Braced for snowfall NI: Flights hit by snow
And there was more bad news for people trying to use public transport in the South East of England.
  • All London buses have been withdrawn from service due "to adverse weather and dangerous driving conditions".
  • Many Tube lines are partially suspended and the Circle and Hammersmith and City lines entirely suspended.
  • South West Trains is running a reduced service on most routes and passengers are advised not to travel unless their journey is essential.
And there was more bad news for people trying to use public transport in the South East of England.
  • All London buses have been withdrawn from service due "to adverse weather and dangerous driving conditions".
  • Many Tube lines are partially suspended and the Circle and Hammersmith and City lines entirely suspended.
  • South West Trains is running a reduced service on most routes and passengers are advised not to travel unless their journey is essential.
David Brown of Transport for London said the situation was "exceptional".David Brown of Transport for London said the situation was "exceptional".
He added: "We haven't had a circumstance like this for over two decades. We were prepared in the sense that all our cold weather plans on the underground were put into place.He added: "We haven't had a circumstance like this for over two decades. We were prepared in the sense that all our cold weather plans on the underground were put into place.
"But I think that actually the volume of the snow falling during the middle of the night was very difficult for us.""But I think that actually the volume of the snow falling during the middle of the night was very difficult for us."
Blizzard conditions
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 make essential journeys.The agency recommended people should only make essential journeys.
Eurostar services are currently operating between the UK and the continent, but are subject to possible delays due to the heavy snow in the UK and northern France. Eurostar services are currently operating between the UK and the continent, but may be delayed due to heavy snow in the UK and northern France.
In the late afternoon, more heavy snow is forecast to hit the eastern part of England, including East Anglia, London and the Home Counties, accompanied by "strong winds [and] blizzard conditions".BBC website reader Fiona Morse snapped snowy Surrey Quays, LondonIn the late afternoon, more heavy snow is forecast to hit the eastern part of England, including East Anglia, London and the Home Counties, accompanied by "strong winds [and] blizzard conditions".BBC website reader Fiona Morse snapped snowy Surrey Quays, London
This will work its way up through the Midlands, northern England and eastern Scotland.This will work its way up through the Midlands, northern England and eastern Scotland.
Evening temperatures will fall to about -1C for many areas of England and eastern Wales, with the weather turning icy by Tuesday morning making road travel treacherous.Evening temperatures will fall to about -1C for many areas of England and eastern Wales, with the weather turning icy by Tuesday morning making road travel treacherous.
There will be minor snowfalls and temperatures will reach about 4C in most areas by Tuesday afternoon.There will be minor snowfalls and temperatures will reach about 4C in most areas by Tuesday afternoon.
One motorist, driving in the Midlands on Monday, 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.One motorist, driving in the Midlands on Monday, 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.
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.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.
Show us your snow by sending your pictures and videos using the form below.Show us your snow by sending your pictures and videos using the form below.
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