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Winter's heaviest snow heading in Travel warnings as snow arrives
(about 4 hours later)
Weather forecasters are predicting the heaviest snowfalls of the winter so far in England and Wales. Commuters are braced for travel chaos after snow began to fall in parts of England and Wales.
The snow, which is expected to fall for several hours overnight, could be 5-10cm (2-4in) in some places. The snow is expected to last several hours, and could reach 5-10cm (2-4in) in many areas, the Met Office said.
The Met Office has issued an early warning of severe weather. Some snow is also likely in Northern Ireland. 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 has warned of poor driving conditions in the morning, and rail travellers can also expect disruption in some parts of the UK. Rail travellers can also expect disruption in some parts of the UK.
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. By 0330 GMT snow had started falling in some parts of the country, said MeteoGroup UK forecaster John Hutchinson.
"It will be the worst snow we'll have seen this winter," said forecaster Nina Ridge. "There has been snow in south and mid Wales and central southern England away from the coast - in Wiltshire, Berkshire and northern parts of Hampshire," he said.
"We've also seen snow in Gloucestershire. "It is gradually spreading its way north east.
"There has not been huge amounts of snow. Just a few centimetres.".
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
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. By 0800 GMT, the BBC Weather Centre is expecting heavy snow over most of Kent, Surrey, the Home Counties, the Midlands and Wales.
The snow is expected to stick to the ground because of low temperatures. The band of snow will then move north-eastwards towards Liverpool, Manchester and Derby.
A mixture of sleet and snow is expected in Northern Ireland.A mixture of sleet and snow is expected in Northern Ireland.
Drivers warnedDrivers 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. 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," the agency said in a statement "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 in case of a breakdown. People who must travel are advised to take warm clothes, food, water, a torch and a spade.
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. 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 an electrified rail 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.
"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."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.
Transport for London, which runs the Tube network, said it had ordered more than 4,000 tonnes of salt.Transport for London, which runs the Tube network, said it had ordered more than 4,000 tonnes of salt.
Britain's airports are also on standby for severe weather.Britain's airports are also on standby for severe weather.
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 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.
Airports operator BAA 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.
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.
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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