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Heavy snow causes travel problems Heavy snow causes travel problems
(10 minutes later)
Travellers are battling transport problems after heavy snowfalls across large swathes of England and Wales.Travellers are battling transport problems after heavy snowfalls across large swathes of England and Wales.
Luton, Stansted, Cardiff and London City airports have closed runways and train services have also been affected.Luton, Stansted, Cardiff and London City airports have closed runways and train services have also been affected.
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 7cm (3in) of snow has already fallen in parts of England and Wales and more is expected across central and southern areas. Up to 10cm (4in) of snow has already fallen in parts of England and Wales and more is expected across central and southern areas.
The deepest snow recorded so far is Sennybridge in the Brecon Beacons where 7cm (3in) is lying and overnight temperatures plummeted to -4C (25F). Severe weather warnings have been issued for Wales, the Midlands and for the south-east of England.
The deepest snow recorded so far fell in Worcester, where 10cm (4in) is lying and overnight temperatures plummeted to -4C (25F).
Elsewhere, 5cm (2in) has fallen in Benson in Oxfordshire and 4cm (1.5in) in west Wales, south-west London and Wiltshire.Elsewhere, 5cm (2in) has fallen in Benson in Oxfordshire and 4cm (1.5in) in west Wales, south-west London and Wiltshire.
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.
However, the south-west of England has avoided the bad weather and much of Scotland remains dry and sunny, forecasters said.However, the south-west of England has avoided the bad weather and much of Scotland remains dry and sunny, forecasters said.
Northern Ireland also escaped the worst of the weather, although a mixture of rain, sleet and snow is falling.Northern Ireland also escaped the worst of the weather, although a mixture of rain, sleet and snow is falling.
Airport closuresAirport closures
The runways at Gatwick, Birmingham and Bristol airports were closed because of the severe weather, but have now reopened.The runways at Gatwick, Birmingham and Bristol airports were closed because of the severe weather, but have now reopened.
If the weather is severe, don't travel unless your journey is essential Highways Agency spokesman Travel disruption at-a-glance Send us your experiencesIf the weather is severe, don't travel unless your journey is essential Highways Agency spokesman Travel disruption at-a-glance Send us your experiences
Runways at Luton, Stansted, Cardiff, and London City airports have also been temporarily closed.Runways at Luton, Stansted, Cardiff, and London City airports have also been temporarily closed.
British Airways warned that many short-haul flights from Heathrow airport would be cancelled after 1000 GMT.British Airways warned that many short-haul flights from Heathrow airport would be cancelled after 1000 GMT.
Airport operator BAA said people planning to fly from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports should check with their airlines before travelling.Airport operator BAA said people planning to fly from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports should check with their airlines before travelling.
The Highways Agency - which sent out gritting lorries overnight - said driving conditions were poor, and urged motorists to travel only if necessary.The Highways Agency - which sent out gritting lorries overnight - said driving conditions were poor, and urged motorists to travel only if necessary.
A spokesman for the AA's Roadwatch service said motoring conditions were worst in the south-east of the country, with Surrey, London, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex all affected by the snow.A spokesman for the AA's Roadwatch service said motoring conditions were worst in the south-east of the country, with Surrey, London, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex all affected by the snow.
BBC Weather: Snow forecastBBC Weather: Snow forecast
Industry chiefs have warned the transport problems could cost the country's economy.Industry chiefs have warned the transport problems could cost the country's economy.
David Frost, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "The impact of this weather forecast on Britain will be huge.David Frost, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "The impact of this weather forecast on Britain will be huge.
"It is expected that the lateness and loss of work hours caused by transport disruptions will cost the British economy up to £400 million.""It is expected that the lateness and loss of work hours caused by transport disruptions will cost the British economy up to £400 million."
All schools in Birmingham, Solihull and Dudley have been closed, as well as some in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and East Anglia.All schools in Birmingham, Solihull and Dudley have been closed, as well as some in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and East Anglia.
More than 300 schools are also closed in Wales.More than 300 schools are also closed in Wales.
Moving northMoving north
Much of the snow across central and southern England, including London, coincided 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, coincided with the morning rush-hour, before moving north-eastwards towards Liverpool, Manchester and Derby.
Residents in Wiltshire, especially around the Devizes, Swindon and Chippenham areas, and Herefordshire reported several inches of snow in places.Residents in Wiltshire, especially around the Devizes, Swindon and Chippenham areas, and Herefordshire reported several inches of snow in places.
Heavy snow fell in south and mid Wales overnight, with the south Wales valleys the worst hit.Heavy snow fell in south and mid Wales overnight, with the south Wales valleys the worst hit.
Your snow picturesYour snow pictures
BBC forecaster Kirsty McCabe said snowfall would continue until dusk in some areas, but would turn to sleet in places.BBC forecaster Kirsty McCabe said snowfall would continue until dusk in some areas, but would turn to sleet in places.
"As the main band of weather moves north it will turn to sleet in the south behind it," she said."As the main band of weather moves north it will turn to sleet in the south behind it," she said.
On the railways, Virgin Trains warned passengers it would be running revised services and advised people to check before travelling.On the railways, Virgin Trains warned passengers it would be running revised services and advised people to check before travelling.
First Great Western, Midland Mainline, South West Trains and Southern Railways also said services have been disrupted.First Great Western, Midland Mainline, South West Trains and Southern Railways also said services have been disrupted.
On the Tube in London, many services have been affected and a Transport for London spokeswoman said staff were working to clear platforms which had been closed because of the weather.On the Tube in London, many services have been affected and a Transport for London spokeswoman said staff were working to clear platforms which had been closed because of the weather.
Black iceBlack ice
In the evening, black ice and freezing fog could also become a hazard, especially across many parts of England.In the evening, black ice and freezing fog could also become a hazard, especially across many parts of England.
The BBC Weather Centre said overnight temperatures would fall to as low as -3C (26F), with a chance of ice forming.The BBC Weather Centre said overnight temperatures would fall to as low as -3C (26F), with a chance of ice forming.
"Low temperatures also mean there could be some freezing fog, which could make for some nasty driving conditions," said forecaster Kirsty McCabe"Low temperatures also mean there could be some freezing fog, which could make for some nasty driving conditions," said forecaster Kirsty McCabe
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.
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.