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UK snow: Schools and transport hit by disruption UK snow: Schools and transport hit by disruption
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of schools have been closed and transport disrupted as a band of heavy snow affects most of the UK.Hundreds of schools have been closed and transport disrupted as a band of heavy snow affects most of the UK.
Cardiff, Bristol and Southampton airports are closed and part of the M4 is shut near Bath. Train companies have put revised timetables in place. Flights at Cardiff, Bristol, Heathrow and Southampton airports have been affected and part of the M4 is shut near Bath.
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.
There have been widespread school closures in England with over 400 in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and 300 in Norfolk, while 300 schools and colleges have been closed in Gloucestershire. In Wales, 1,100 schools have been closed.There have been widespread school closures in England with over 400 in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and 300 in Norfolk, while 300 schools and colleges have been closed in Gloucestershire. In Wales, 1,100 schools have been closed.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • Many major roads are being affected by snow with the M4 closed eastbound between Bristol and Bath, while the M50 is closed eastbound in Herefordshire at junction three, the BBC travel centre reports
  • 10,000 households in parts of south Wales are being affected by power cuts
  • Around 70 flights were cancelled at London's Heathrow Airport, primarily because of problems at other airports, a spokesman said
  • href="http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/today.html" >Eurostar cancelled four journeys between London and Brussels
  • href="https://lfn.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4573" >British Airways has cancelled over 60 flights. It has offered those travelling on Friday and over the weekend the chance to change their flights free of charge to a later date
  • The East Coast train company has lifted ticket restrictions for all journeys on its trains which arrive in, or depart from, King's Cross station in London after 10:00 GMT on Friday
  • South West Trains is among the travel companies to put contingency plans in place including a revised timetable. Southern Railways said it planned to operate a "less frequent service" between London and the south coast
  • In London, contingency plans for Tube services have been put in place
The Met Office's red warning for snow, which is unusual and means all non-essential travel should be avoided, applies to the south-eastern 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 south-eastern 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 (12 ins) of snow and blizzards.
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.
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.
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 Latest local news, travel and weather

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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 (8 ins) by Saturday morning.
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. He 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 travel.Steve Crosthwaite, who heads the agency's National Traffic Operations Centre, urged drivers to allow more time for 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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