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Heavy snow causes travel problems Heavy snow causes travel problems
(30 minutes later)
Travellers are battling transport problems after heavy snowfall across large swathes of England and Wales.Travellers are battling transport problems after heavy snowfall across large swathes of England and Wales.
A number of airport runways were closed with flights cancelled, while train services have also been affected.A number of airport runways were closed with flights cancelled, while train services have also been affected.
Hundreds of schools are shut and motorists are being urged to travel only if necessary. Some households are also without power.Hundreds of schools are shut and motorists are being urged to travel only if necessary. Some households are also without power.
Up to 9cm (3.5in) of snow has fallen in some areas, with more expected throughout the day.Up to 9cm (3.5in) of snow has fallen in some areas, with more expected throughout the day.
Severe weather warnings have been issued for Wales, the Midlands and the south-east of England.Severe weather warnings have been issued for Wales, the Midlands and the south-east of England.
Much of the snow across central and southern England, including London, coincided with the morning rush-hour, before moving north-eastwards.
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
Much of the snow across central and southern England, including London, coincided with the morning rush-hour, before moving north-eastwards.
The deepest snow recorded so far is in Great Malvern, south-west of Worcester, which has seen 9cm (3.5in) fall.The deepest snow recorded so far is in Great Malvern, south-west of Worcester, which has seen 9cm (3.5in) fall.
Elsewhere, 7cm (3in) has fallen in Sennybridge in the Brecon Beacons where overnight temperatures plummeted to -4C (25F).
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.
Northern Ireland has seen a mixture of rain, sleet and snow.
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.
The runways at Gatwick, Stansted, Birmingham, London City, Cardiff and Bristol airports were closed because of the severe weather, but have now reopened.
BBC Weather: Snow forecastBBC Weather: Snow forecast
Hundreds of schools across the south-east of England, the Midlands and Wales have been closed as a result of the weather.
A spokesman for the Local Government Association said the primary concern was the safety of the children.
"If parents feel they don't want to compromise that by getting into the car or by walking on ice, that's fine," he said.
Hundreds of householders in Abergavenny, south Wales and Llandeilo and Blaenporth in west Wales have also been left without power.
Meanwhile travellers faced disruption on the roads, public transport and at airports.
TRAVEL INFORMATION NUMBERS Highways Agency08700 660 115AA Roadwatch09003 401 100National Rail Enquiries08457 48 49 50London Travel Information020 7222 1234
The runways at Gatwick, Stansted, Birmingham, London City, Cardiff and Bristol airports were closed because of the severe weather, but have now reopened.
The runway at Luton remains temporarily closed.The runway at Luton remains temporarily closed.
British Airways warned that many short-haul flights from Heathrow airport would be cancelled after 1000 GMT. British Airways warned some short-haul flights from Heathrow and Gatwick airports would be cancelled.
Airport operator BAA said people planning to fly from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports should check with their airlines before travelling. The Highways Agency 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 had been worst in the south-east of England as well as south Wales.
A spokesman for the AA's Roadwatch service said motoring conditions had been bad in the south-east of the country, with Surrey, London, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex all affected by the snow, as well as the south Wales.
Trains disrupted
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 had been disrupted.
Snow causes school closuresSnow causes school closures
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 railways, Virgin Trains First Great Western, Midland Mainline, South West Trains and Southern Railways services have been disrupted.
London's Tube services were also affected.
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: "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."
School closures
In addition to transport disruption, hundreds of schools across the south-east of England, the Midlands and Wales have been closed.
Hundreds of householders in Abergavenny, south Wales and Llandeilo and Blaenporth in west Wales have also been left without power.
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.
Your snow picturesYour snow pictures
"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.
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 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.