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More snow sweeping across Britain More snow sweeping across Britain
(20 minutes later)
Britain is bracing itself for rush-hour disruption after heavy snow blanketed much of the country.Britain is bracing itself for rush-hour disruption after heavy snow blanketed much of the country.
South-east England has been hit by the heaviest snow for 18 years, causing buses to be cancelled and airports to be closed. South-east England has been hit by the heaviest snow for 18 years, causing buses and trains to be cancelled and airports to be closed.
Fresh bands of snow are now sweeping across the country.Fresh bands of snow are now sweeping across the country.
Parts of London could see a foot (30cm) of snow by Monday evening, while the Pennines and other parts of the north could see as much as 20 inches (50cm).Parts of London could see a foot (30cm) of snow by Monday evening, while the Pennines and other parts of the north could see as much as 20 inches (50cm).
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.
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."A snowman greeted BBC website reader David Shipway on his doorstepSpeaking 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."A snowman greeted BBC website reader David Shipway on his doorstep
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.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.
He said some parts of London have already seen up to eight inches (20 cm) of snow.He said some parts of London have already seen up to eight inches (20 cm) of snow.
Further snowfall in northern England and the Pennines could be made worse by strong winds which will cause snow to drift, he added.Further snowfall in northern England and the Pennines could be made worse by strong winds which will cause snow to drift, he added.
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. This will work its way up through the Midlands, northern England and eastern Scotland.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. This will work its way up through the Midlands, northern England and eastern Scotland.
Monday evening will see the snow falling briefly to sleet in East Anglia and the south-east of England, before it freezes.Monday evening will see the snow falling briefly to sleet in East Anglia and the south-east of England, before it freezes.
Parts of the Midlands, East and South will experience temperatures between -4C and -7C on Monday night.Parts of the Midlands, East and South will experience temperatures between -4C and -7C on Monday night.
DEPTH OF SNOW AT 0900 GMT 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)DEPTH OF SNOW AT 0900 GMT 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)
The weather will turn icy by the Tuesday morning, making road travel treacherous. Later in the day, temperatures are expected to hit 4C, although minor snow showers are still likely.The weather will turn icy by the Tuesday morning, making road travel treacherous. Later in the day, temperatures are expected to hit 4C, although minor snow showers are still likely.
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.
Hospitals in London have put out an emergency call to staff to come into work because of an increase in 999 calls.Hospitals in London have put out an emergency call to staff to come into work because of an increase in 999 calls.
Several London theatres have cancelled their performances, and many offices are sending staff home early because of the weather.Several London theatres have cancelled their performances, and many offices are sending staff home early because of the weather.
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. IMPACT OF THE SNOWFALL One of two runways closed at HeathrowPassengers stranded at Gatwick 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 updatesSchools' round-upAll 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. IMPACT OF THE SNOWFALL One of two runways closed at HeathrowPassengers stranded at Gatwick 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 updatesSchools' round-up
London City and Luton 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".
  • 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.
  • BMI, Heathrow's second largest airline, has cancelled all flights to and from the airport.
London City and Luton 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".
  • 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.
  • BMI, Heathrow's second largest airline, has cancelled all flights to and from the airport.
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.
And there was more bad news for people trying to use public transport in the South East of England.And there was more bad news for people trying to use public transport in the South East of England.
Drivers are being urged to only travel if absolutely necessary, and to listen to BBC radio bulletins for regular weather updates.Drivers are being urged to only travel if absolutely necessary, and to listen to BBC radio bulletins for regular weather updates.
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."
Gritting costs
Edward Welsh, of the Local Government Association, said councils had been "working flat out" since Sunday morning.
"Councils across the country have been out gritting, some gritted the roads three times on Sunday, but there's been an incredible fall of snow.
"And it also costs an awful lot of money to grit the roads. A three-hour session can use up to £17,000 of petrol and grit.
"If we had hundreds of gritters on stand-by for a day like this, a day which happens once in every 18 years, we'd have to divert resources from somewhere else."
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 are subject to possible delays due to the heavy snow in the UK and northern France.
But not everyone has been inconvenienced by the weather - Erik Anderson, from Richmond upon Thames, contacted the BBC News website to say many people and their children had enjoyed "a fabulous once-in-a-lifetime winter wonderland in central London".But not everyone has been inconvenienced by the weather - Erik Anderson, from Richmond upon Thames, contacted the BBC News website to say many people and their children had enjoyed "a fabulous once-in-a-lifetime winter wonderland in central London".
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.
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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