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Winter's heaviest snow heading in Winter's heaviest snow heading in
(about 8 hours later)
Weather forecasters are predicting the heaviest snowfalls of the winter so far over most parts of Britain overnight. Weather forecasters are predicting the heaviest snowfalls of the winter so far over many parts of Britain.
The snow, which is expected to fall for several hours, could be 15cm deep in hilly areas of Wales and the Midlands, and 2cm to 5cm deep in the south-east. The snow, which is expected to fall for several hours overnight, could be 5-10cm (2-4in) in many areas of England and Wales, the Met Office said.
The Met Office has issued an early warning of severe weather. It has issued an early warning of severe weather.
The Highways Agency has warned of poor driving conditions on Thursday morning, and rail travellers can also expect disruption in some parts of the UK. The Highways Agency has warned of poor driving conditions in the morning, and rail travellers can also expect disruption in some parts of the UK.
The BBC Weather Centre says snow will begin falling at about midnight or in the early hours of the morning in Wales and south-west England and then move north-eastwards. The BBC Weather Centre was expecting snow to begin falling at about midnight or in the early hours of the morning in Wales and south-west England, and then move north-eastwards.
"It will be the worst snow we'll have seen this winter," said BBC weather forecaster Nina Ridge. "It will be the worst snow we'll have seen this winter," said forecaster Nina Ridge.
If the weather is severe, don't travel unless your journey is essential Highways Agency spokesmanIf the weather is severe, don't travel unless your journey is essential Highways Agency spokesman
The Highways Agency (HA), which is advising drivers to check weather forecasts and road conditions before they set out, said 400 salt-spreading vehicles were on standby. By 0800 GMT, heavy snow is expected over most of Kent, Surrey, the Home Counties and the Midlands before moving north towards Liverpool, Manchester and Derby.
"It's possible that the heavy snow could affect central and southern England during the times when people are setting out to travel to work or school on Thursday morning," the HA said in a statement. The snow is expected to stick to the ground because of low temperatures.
"If the weather is severe, don't travel unless your journey is essential." A mixture of sleet and snow is expected in Northern Ireland.
Drivers warned
The Highways Agency - which has 400 salt-spreading vehicles on standby - 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," the agency said in a statement
UK 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 in case of a breakdown.People who must travel are advised to take warm clothes, food, water, a torch and a spade in case of a breakdown.
Measures to prevent delays On the railways, Network Rail said train lines in Kent and Sussex were most vulnerable to snow and ice because they took their power from the rails rather than overhead lines.
Network Rail said train lines in Kent and Sussex were most vulnerable to snow and ice because they took their power from the rails rather than overhead lines.
Special trains will de-ice the tracks and spray anti-freeze on them, and heaters will stop points from freezing.Special trains will de-ice the tracks and spray anti-freeze on them, and heaters will stop points from freezing.
Transport for London, which runs the Tube network, said it had ordered more than 4,000 tonnes of salt. Temperatures have plummeted. Photo sent in by Dave Jefferson "We can't guarantee there won't be any disruption, but we're doing everything we can to try and keep things running as smoothly as possible," a spokesman said.
Snow plough trains will be deployed if there is heavy snow and a helicopter will be used to spot the worst-affected areas. Transport for London, which runs the Tube network, said it had ordered more than 4,000 tonnes of salt.
"We can't guarantee there won't be any disruption, but we're doing everything we can to try and keep things running as smoothly as possible," a Network Rail spokesman said.
Britain's airports are also on standby for severe weather.Britain's airports are also on standby for severe weather.
Heathrow, run by BAA, has about 30 snow-clearing vehicles ready for the worst. A number of airports, including Gatwick and those in Scotland, said they were not expecting extreme conditions, but others, including Manchester, Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham, are braced for a blanketing.
A BAA spokesman said it was "impossible to say" if there would be any delays to flights. Airports operator BAA said it was "impossible to say" if there would be any delays to flights.
"Our priority is to keep the runways operational and minimise disruption."
A number of airports, including Gatwick and those in Scotland, said they were not expecting extreme conditions, but others are braced for a blanketing.
UK weather pattern as of 1500 GMT, 7 FebruaryEnlarge Image
A spokesman for Manchester Airport said it was expecting 3cm of snow from 0500 GMT to 1200 GMT on Thursday.
It was calling in extra staff to drive snowmobiles and equipment to keep runways clear.
And a second task was to work out how many diverted flights it could handle from other airports affected around the country.
Meanwhile, at Birmingham Airport, a spokeswoman said: "Our snow equipment has been serviced today and we have extra snow volunteers on stand-by who are trained to use it.
"We have also got extra staff in the terminals, so we're doing all we can."
Thirty extra staff are on stand-by at Bristol and the runway has been sprayed with de-icer. Any snow that does lie will be removed by three mechanical brushes.
Senior managers at Cardiff International Airport are meeting to work out plans to prevent any flight delays.
Schools closedSchools closed
Snow has already affected Northumberland and parts of Scotland.Snow has already affected Northumberland and parts of Scotland.
In Grampian, 16 schools in Aberdeenshire were either closed or partially closed on Wednesday, and the A939 Cockbridge to Tomintoul road was also shut.In Grampian, 16 schools in Aberdeenshire were either closed or partially closed on Wednesday, and the A939 Cockbridge to Tomintoul road was also shut.
Temperatures plummeted overnight all over Britain on Tuesday with the lowest recorded in Sennybridge, Powys - minus 9C (16F).
Last month a snowfall of less than an inch caused widespread travel chaos.Last month a snowfall of less than an inch caused widespread travel chaos.
Heathrow and Gatwick cancelled more than 20 flights, the Tube was badly hit and 340,000 rail commuters suffered delays and cancellations.Heathrow and Gatwick cancelled more than 20 flights, the Tube was badly hit and 340,000 rail commuters suffered delays and cancellations.
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:
If you get any photos of the snow and extreme weather send them to yourpics@bbc.co.ukIf you get any photos of the snow and extreme weather send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk
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