This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/6293511.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Warnings as heavy snow predicted Warnings as heavy snow predicted
(about 6 hours later)
Wintry weather in southern and eastern parts of England is expected to worsen over the next 24 hours. Fresh snowfalls expected overnight in south-east England could leave parts of Kent, Sussex and the Essex coast with up to 15cm (6in) of snow by Thursday.
Snow and ice has already led to travel problems in the South East and London, with rail services severely disrupted and heavy congestion on some roads. Gritter lorries have been out in force as forecasters predict the UK's worst winter weather so far.
Sixteen flights from Heathrow and Gatwick airports have been cancelled. Snow and ice led to travel problems in the South East and London on Wednesday, with rail services severely disrupted and heavy congestion on some roads.
The Highways Agency said more than 100 gritters had been out on motorways and trunk roads, as snow falls of up to 15cm (6in) are expected in Kent. The Highways Agency has advised drivers to take extra care on the roads.
An average of 2cm (0.8in) of snow fell across southern and eastern England overnight into Wednesday. BBC weather forecaster Phil Avery said accumulations of up to 10cm (5.9in) were possible over the Downs on Wednesday night.
Kent, Surrey and Sussex are predicted to see the worst of the coming weather.
BBC weather forecaster Rob McElwee said cold winds off the North Sea would also mean continuing snow showers in parts of Scotland, north-east England and Yorkshire.
Snow storms hit some northern areas on TuesdaySnow storms hit some northern areas on Tuesday
The Highways Agency is advising motorists to take extra care on the roads. Some snow flurries could also reach east London, while a small weather feature would bring some snow across the Midlands, central southern England and parts of the West Country.
On Wednesday morning a jack-knifed lorry closed part of the M25 in Surrey, with traffic tailing back from junction nine to junction five in Kent. An average of 2cm (0.8in) of snow fell across southern and eastern England overnight into Wednesday, bringing an end to the mild weather.
Rail passengers suffered delays when points failed and hi-tech systems designed to protect trains from the effects of ice on power rails left them "stuck" and unable to move.
An estimated 80,000 South West Trains users, a further 60,000 Southern customers and up to 200,000 Southeastern passengers were caught up in the morning rush hour disruption.
Several thousand passengers on One services between London and East Anglia were also affected.
A spokesman for Network Rail said it had done everything it could to minimise the disruption in the face of the "extreme weather".
Your snow pictures
London Underground commuters suffered delays and cancellations on six lines, while 21 flights had to be cancelled from Heathrow Airport, and three from Gatwick.
Norwich Airport also suffered some early delays.
On the roads, a jack-knifed lorry closed part of the M25 in Surrey, with traffic tailing back from junction nine to junction five in Kent.
The congestion was added to by a crash on the northbound M23 in Surrey, which meant the motorway was closed in the direction of the A23 with all traffic diverted onto the M25.The congestion was added to by a crash on the northbound M23 in Surrey, which meant the motorway was closed in the direction of the A23 with all traffic diverted onto the M25.
In East Sussex, a car skidded into a gas main in Buxted, leading to the evacuation of a number of homes and commercial premises.In East Sussex, a car skidded into a gas main in Buxted, leading to the evacuation of a number of homes and commercial premises.
Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex county councils deployed a total of 113 gritting vehicles on main routes.Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex county councils deployed a total of 113 gritting vehicles on main routes.
Surrey County Council said its fleet had been spreading "wet salt", a new environmentally friendly saline solution.Surrey County Council said its fleet had been spreading "wet salt", a new environmentally friendly saline solution.
Rail passengers were also hampered by the snow, with Southern and Southeastern services subject to delays, alterations and cancellations.
Your snow pictures
A spokeswoman for Southeastern Railway said: "Delays could affect thousands of people... because in south-east London services are fairly frequent so any small delays could have a knock-on effect."
Southern said "severe disruption" across its network was expected to continue into Wednesday afternoon.
A spokesman said: "It's not so much the snow, it's ice that causes the problems."
He said the lines were treated to stop them icing up, but a drop in temperature on Wednesday morning caused snow which had already settled to turn to ice on the tracks.
"The service is slowly starting to recover, but these type of delays take a long time to work out of the system," the spokesman added.
Has your journey been disrupted by the weather? What difficulties have you faced because of the snow? Send us your stories and images.
Has your journey been disrupted by the weather? What difficulties have you faced because of the snow? Send us your stories and images.
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. Please do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. Please do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Click here to read terms and conditionsClick here to read terms and conditions
Do you have a webcam? If so, you can also send us a short video message. Click here to find out how.Do you have a webcam? If so, you can also send us a short video message. Click here to find out how.
Name
 Name