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Severe weather warnings continue Severe weather warnings continue
(about 2 hours later)
The widespread disruption caused by heavy snowfall in England and Wales looks set to continue overnight. Widespread disruption caused by heavy snowfall in England and Wales looks set to continue on Friday.
The Met Office says there could be black ice on roads and drivers are being warned to take extra care. The BBC Weather Centre has warned of hidden black ice on roads, while many schools will remain shut.
More than 2,000 schools were forced to close due to the severe weather and many will remain shut on Friday. At least one person died in a major crash on the M27 in Hampshire on Thursday evening, although it was not clear if the weather was the cause.
Motorists, air and rail passengers also faced delays and Commons Leader Jack Straw admitted that Britain could cope better with this type of weather. Rail companies hope to run normal services on Friday, although points could freeze leading to morning delays.
If the weather is severe, don't travel unless your journey is essential Highways Agency spokesman class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6341183.stm">Travel disruption at-a-glance class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5491&edition=1">Send us your experiences Airports are also expected to return to normal, but travellers are being warned to take extra time because of a possible backlog.
Mr Straw told MPs during a debate: "It is extremely important we upgrade our efforts all the time to defy the weather which after all, not withstanding a day's snow, is much more moderate than many other countries who frankly are able to cope a bit better." Black ice
Some short-haul British Airways flights from Heathrow and Gatwick airports had to be cancelled and on the railways, Virgin Trains First Great Western, Midland Mainline, South West Trains and Southern Railways services were disrupted.
London's Tube services were also affected and there were major delays on many roads.
Severe overnight weather warnings have been issued for Wales, the Midlands and southern England.Severe overnight weather warnings have been issued for Wales, the Midlands and southern England.
TRAVEL INFORMATION NUMBERS Highways Agency08700 660 115AA Roadwatch09003 401 100National Rail Enquiries08457 48 49 50London Travel Information020 7222 1234 Temperatures could fall to -4C (25F) in Wales and the Midlands. Elsewhere, in south-east England and western Scotland, it will be -3C (26F).
Temperatures could fall as low as -4C (25F) in Wales and the Midlands. Elsewhere, in south east England and western Scotland, it will be -3C (26F). Drive very slowly even if you think the roads look clear and keep plenty of distance between yourself and the car in front of you The BBC's Sally Nugent class="" href="/1/hi/england/hampshire/6344859.stm">Fifteen vehicles in fatal crash class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6341183.stm">Travel disruption at-a-glance class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5491&edition=1">Send us your experiences
And in north west England, north east Scotland and Northern Ireland the temperature is set to drop to -2C (28F). And in north-west England, north-east Scotland and Northern Ireland the temperature is set to drop to -2C (28F).
The deepest snow recorded on Thursday was at Sennybridge, in the Brecon Beacons, which has seen 10cm (4in) fall. The BBC's Sally Nugent said snow would be dying away across the country on Friday, apart from some light snow showers in northern and north-west England.
More than 2,000 schools across the south-east of England, the Midlands and Wales were closed as a result of the weather. But plunging temperatures meant surface water on roads would freeze, leading to black ice in may parts of the country.
"The danger is you can't see it," she said.
"Drive very slowly even if you think the roads look clear and keep plenty of distance between yourself and the car in front of you."
People should "take extra time and be extra patient" when using all modes of transport on Friday, she said.
Snow causes school closures Your snow picturesSnow causes school closures Your snow pictures
And all schools in Birmingham will remain closed on Friday. More snow has been predicted for Saturday in central and northern England, as well as some parts of Scotland, and there may be further snowfall in Scotland on Sunday.
A spokesman for the Local Government Association said the primary concern was the safety of the children. The deepest snow recorded on Thursday was at Sennybridge, in the Brecon Beacons, which had 10cm (4in).
The outlook is set to improve on Friday in most areas, with rain in the South West, while most other areas are forecast to be cold and mainly dry. Motorists, air and rail passengers faced delays, and Commons Leader Jack Straw admitted that Britain could cope better with this type of weather.
However, more snow has been predicted for Saturday in central and northern England, as well as some parts of Scotland, and there may be further snowfall in Scotland on Sunday. More than 2,000 schools across the south-east of England, the Midlands and Wales were closed. Many will remain closed on Friday.