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UK snow: Transport companies prepare for disruption UK snow: Transport companies prepare for disruption
(about 1 hour later)
Transport companies have been taking steps to minimise travel disruption, with the UK warned to expect heavy snow across most of the country.Transport companies have been taking steps to minimise travel disruption, with the UK warned to expect heavy snow across most of the country.
Some train companies have already put revised timetables in place and gritters have been out on the roads.Some train companies have already put revised timetables in place and gritters have been out on the roads.
A rare red Met Office warning for snow is in place for parts of Wales, meaning severe disruption is likely.A rare red Met Office warning for snow is in place for parts of Wales, meaning severe disruption is likely.
There is an amber warning for Northern Ireland and most of England, with snow also due in parts of Scotland.There is an amber warning for Northern Ireland and most of England, with snow also due in parts of Scotland.
The Met Office's red warning for snow, which is unusual and means all non-essential travel should be avoided, applies to the southeastern side of the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains until 21:00 GMT on Friday.The Met Office's red warning for snow, which is unusual and means all non-essential travel should be avoided, applies to the southeastern side of the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains until 21:00 GMT on Friday.
Red warning areas could see up to 30cm of snow and blizzards.Red warning areas could see up to 30cm of snow and blizzards.
'Blizzards and strong winds''Blizzards and strong winds'
Amber severe weather warnings, which mean be prepared for disruption and only travel if necessary, are also in place until at least 21:00 GMT across large parts of central, western and southern England and Wales, as well as Northern Ireland.Amber severe weather warnings, which mean be prepared for disruption and only travel if necessary, are also in place until at least 21:00 GMT across large parts of central, western and southern England and Wales, as well as Northern Ireland.
Blizzards and strong winds are set to make driving conditions difficult on the roads, and motorists are being warned that heavy snow will arrive in many areas before the morning rush-hour.Blizzards and strong winds are set to make driving conditions difficult on the roads, and motorists are being warned that heavy snow will arrive in many areas before the morning rush-hour.
BBC Weather said Northern Ireland would experience rain early on Friday, which would turn to snow during the course of the day, with between 10cm and 15cm expected in most areas and about 20cm over hills.BBC Weather said Northern Ireland would experience rain early on Friday, which would turn to snow during the course of the day, with between 10cm and 15cm expected in most areas and about 20cm over hills.
South West Trains is among the travel companies to put contingency plans in place. It has announced changes to its services on Friday, including a revised timetable on a number of routes.South West Trains is among the travel companies to put contingency plans in place. It has announced changes to its services on Friday, including a revised timetable on a number of routes.
The company said trains would not be operating between Ascot in Berkshire and Ash Vale in Surrey, Salisbury and Bristol, and Virginia Water and Weybridge in Surrey, and there would be a revised timetable on routes, including services to Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset and DevonThe company said trains would not be operating between Ascot in Berkshire and Ash Vale in Surrey, Salisbury and Bristol, and Virginia Water and Weybridge in Surrey, and there would be a revised timetable on routes, including services to Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset and Devon
In other developments:In other developments:
BBC weather forecaster Mike Silverstone said much of England and Wales would experience between 5cm and 15cm of snow on Friday, whereas Northern Ireland could see up to 20cm by Saturday morning.BBC weather forecaster Mike Silverstone said much of England and Wales would experience between 5cm and 15cm of snow on Friday, whereas Northern Ireland could see up to 20cm by Saturday morning.
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The snow is expected to ease off later on Friday, although it is set to remain in eastern areas, forecasters said.The snow is expected to ease off later on Friday, although it is set to remain in eastern areas, forecasters said.
BBC Weather added it was likely to stay very cold over the weekend, with snow likely to be confined to Scotland, north-eastern England and Northern Ireland on Saturday.BBC Weather added it was likely to stay very cold over the weekend, with snow likely to be confined to Scotland, north-eastern England and Northern Ireland on Saturday.
The Highways Agency has put road ploughs and snow blowers on stand-by to clear major routes.The Highways Agency has put road ploughs and snow blowers on stand-by to clear major routes.
Steve Crosthwaite, who heads the agency's National Traffic Operations Centre, urged drivers to allow more time for morning travel.Steve Crosthwaite, who heads the agency's National Traffic Operations Centre, urged drivers to allow more time for morning travel.
He added: "During periods of severe weather we also suggest people consider whether their journey is essential."He added: "During periods of severe weather we also suggest people consider whether their journey is essential."
Passengers travelling to Heathrow and London City airports have been advised to check the status of their flight before travelling to the airport.Passengers travelling to Heathrow and London City airports have been advised to check the status of their flight before travelling to the airport.
For more information on the weather and transport situation in your area, visit the BBC Weather website and BBC Travel News.For more information on the weather and transport situation in your area, visit the BBC Weather website and BBC Travel News.
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Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy

Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy
Temperature tab onlyTemperature tab only

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather
Have you been affected by the snow? Are you making preparations for the coming days? Please send us your comments using the form below.Have you been affected by the snow? Are you making preparations for the coming days? Please send us your comments using the form below.
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