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Travel warnings as snow arrives Travel warnings as snow arrives
(about 1 hour later)
Commuters are braced for travel chaos after heavy snow was reported in parts of England and Wales.Commuters are braced for travel chaos after heavy snow was reported in parts of England and Wales.
By 0500 GMT, 2 to 5cm (1-2in) of snow had already fallen in parts of the West Midlands, said the BBC Weather Centre.By 0500 GMT, 2 to 5cm (1-2in) of snow had already fallen in parts of the West Midlands, said the BBC Weather Centre.
By 0800 GMT, heavy snow is expected over most of Kent, Surrey, the Home Counties, the Midlands and Wales.By 0800 GMT, heavy snow is expected over most of Kent, Surrey, the Home Counties, the Midlands and Wales.
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.
By 0530 GMT, 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.By 0530 GMT, 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.
Residents in Wiltshire, especially around the Devizes, Swindon and Chippenham areas, were reporting several inches in places.
Some rail firms are already reporting delays and cancellations.
Some hilly areas of England and Wales are likely to receive up to 15cm (6in) of snow during the day.Some hilly areas of England and Wales are likely to receive up to 15cm (6in) of snow during the day.
Rush-hour
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, will coincide with the morning rush-hour, before moving 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.
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
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 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. On the railways, Network Rail said it could not guarantee there would not be any disruption, but it was doing all it could.
Special trains will de-ice the tracks and spray anti-freeze on them, and heaters will stop points from freezing. Virgin Trains warned passengers it would be running revised services and to expect delays, and First Great Western is also advising customers to make extra time for their journeys.
"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. Midland Mainline said there would be cancellations to its services.
Transport for London, which runs the Tube network, said it had ordered more than 4,000 tonnes of salt. On the Tube in London, services have already been disrupted on the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Northern and Piccadilly lines.
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.
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.
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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