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Commuters battle rush-hour snow Heavy snow causes transport chaos
(20 minutes later)
Commuters are battling rush-hour chaos after heavy snowfalls across large swathes of England and Wales.Commuters are battling rush-hour chaos after heavy snowfalls across large swathes of England and Wales.
Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and Birmingham airports have closed their runways and train services have been hit. Luton, Stansted, Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham airports have closed runways and train services have been hit.
Schools in parts of England and south Wales are shut and drivers are being urged to travel only if necessary.Schools in parts of England and south Wales are shut and drivers are being urged to travel only if necessary.
Up to 5cm (2in) of snow has already fallen in parts of England and more is expected across central and southern England and Wales.Up to 5cm (2in) of snow has already fallen in parts of England and more is expected across central and southern England and Wales.
Some hilly areas are likely to receive up to 15cm (6in) of snow during the day, the BBC Weather Centre said.Some hilly areas are likely to receive up to 15cm (6in) of snow during the day, the BBC Weather Centre said.
Airport closuresAirport closures
The runway at Gatwick has been closed because of the severe weather, but airport bosses say they hope it will reopen soon. Passengers are being advised to check in as normal. The runway at Gatwick airport was closed because of the severe weather, but has now reopened. Passengers are being advised to check in as normal.
Four flights which were due to land have been diverted to other airports.Four flights which were due to land have been diverted to other airports.
If the weather is severe, don't travel unless your journey is essential Highways Agency spokesman Travel disruption at-a-glanceIf the weather is severe, don't travel unless your journey is essential Highways Agency spokesman Travel disruption at-a-glance
The runways at Luton, Stansted and Birmingham airports have also been temporarily closed, while a number of other airports, including Manchester, Cardiff, and Bristol, are also braced for a blanketing. The runways at Luton, Stansted, Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham airports have also been temporarily closed.
People are being advised to contact their airline before travelling.
The Highways Agency - which sent out gritting lorries overnight - has warned of poor driving conditions, and urged drivers to travel only if necessary.The Highways Agency - which sent out gritting lorries overnight - has warned of poor driving conditions, and urged drivers to travel only if necessary.
One lane anti-clockwise on the M25 in Hertfordshire, between junction 24 and 23, was reported as shut because of heavy snow, and also clockwise at junctions 17 and 18.
One lane on the M5 between junction 3 and 4a has also been closed.
Residents in Wiltshire, especially around the Devizes, Swindon and Chippenham areas, and Herefordshire were reporting several inches in places.Residents in Wiltshire, especially around the Devizes, Swindon and Chippenham areas, and Herefordshire were reporting several inches in places.
All schools in Birmingham, Solihull and Dudley have been closed, as well as some in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. All schools in Birmingham, Solihull and Dudley have been closed, as well as some in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and East Anglia.
Nearly 100 schools are also closed in Wales but the figure is set to rise.
Black iceBlack ice
Much of the snow across central and southern England, including London, will coincide with the morning rush-hour, before moving north-eastwards towards Liverpool, Manchester and Derby. Much of the snow across central and southern England, including London, has coincided with the morning rush-hour, before moving north-eastwards towards Liverpool, Manchester and Derby.
Heavy snow fell in south and mid Wales overnight - with the south Wales valleys the worst hit.
A mixture of sleet and snow is expected in Northern Ireland.A mixture of sleet and snow is expected in Northern Ireland.
In the evening, black ice and freezing fog could be a hazard, especially across many parts of England.In the evening, black ice and freezing fog could be a hazard, especially across many parts of England.
The Highways Agency is advising drivers to check weather forecasts and road conditions before they set out.The Highways Agency is advising drivers to check weather forecasts and road conditions before they set out.
"If the weather is severe, don't travel unless your journey is essential," it said."If the weather is severe, don't travel unless your journey is essential," it said.
UK weather pattern as of 1500 GMT, 7 FebruaryEnlarge ImageUK weather pattern as of 1500 GMT, 7 FebruaryEnlarge Image
People who must travel are advised to take warm clothes, food, water, a torch and a spade.People who must travel are advised to take warm clothes, food, water, a torch and a spade.
On the railways, Network Rail said it could not guarantee there would not be any disruption, but it was doing all it could. On the railways, Virgin Trains has warned passengers it would be running revised services and advised people not to travel unless absolutely necessary. First Great Western is also advising customers to make extra time for their journeys.
Virgin Trains warned passengers it would be running revised services and advised people not to travel unless absolutely necessary. First Great Western is also advising customers to make extra time for their journeys. Midland Mainline said there would be cancellations to its services and Southern Railways, which operates rail services into London from Kent and Sussex, warned that there could be delays because of points failures.
Midland Mainline said there would be cancellations to its services. On the Tube in London, services have already been disrupted on the Central, Bakerloo, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Northern and Piccadilly lines.
On the Tube in London, services have already been disrupted on the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Northern and Piccadilly lines. The Transport for London spokeswoman said East Acton, Hanger Lane, Ickenham and Hendon Central stations, in the west of London, were closed.
"Staff are working to clear platforms and we hope to have these stations open as quickly as possible," he said.
Are you affected by the snow already? Are you expecting extreme weather conditions tonight? Send us your experiences using the form below:Are you affected by the snow already? Are you expecting extreme weather conditions tonight? Send us your experiences using the form below:
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