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Freezing weather hits parts of UK Freezing weather hits parts of UK
(about 3 hours later)
Snow and bitter winds are sweeping across some areas of Britain and the Met Office has issued a weather warning for motorists. Snow and bitter winds have swept across some areas of Britain in the first cold snap of the New Year.
The first falls have started in Scotland and the North East of England as strong easterly winds bring temperatures down. The Met office issued a severe weather warning as strong easterly winds brought freezing temperatures to Scotland and north east England.
Police closed part of the A1 briefly due to cars getting stuck in the snow. In the Angus area a motorist died when his car slipped off the road and down an embankment.
The Highways Agency has also warned drivers to be careful and to pack extra clothing in case of breakdowns. The Highways Agency warned drivers to be careful and to pack extra clothing in case of breakdowns.
Gritting lorries Snowdrifts
Worst affected by the freezing weather are central and northeast Scotland, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. Snow up to 10cm deep may settle on Scottish hillsides, with drifts of up to 4cm on lower levels. Worst affected are central and northeast Scotland, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. Forecasters said that snow up to 30cm deep may settle on Scottish hillsides, with drifts of up to 4cm on lower levels.
With temperatures just above freezing point, there has been some snow in southern England, but not as much as some councils expected.
The forecast for Friday is more snow in Northern Ireland and the north of Britain, but rising temperatures in the south.
Snow hits ScotlandSnow hits Scotland
Snow has also been falling - but not settling - as far south as Bexhill in Sussex. As time goes on the risk of snow in the south diminishes by the minute Darren Bett, BBC Weather Centre class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7169717.stm">In pictures: Snow in the UK class="" href="/1/hi/magazine/7169361.stm">How do they know when to grit roads?
It won't settle for long, because warmer weather is on its way Chris Fawkes, BBC Weather Centre class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7169717.stm">In pictures: Snow in the UK class="" href="/1/hi/magazine/7169361.stm">How do they know when to grit roads? In Scotland, the motorist who died was driving on the A90 Brechin by-pass, north of Dundee. Police say cold weather conditions contributed to the accident.
Gritting lorries have treated motorways and major roads, and hundreds of council workers are working on local streets. Two other minor road accidents in the Moray area in the Scottish Highlands are also being blamed on the icy conditions.
Police closed part of the A1 northbound between Gosforth and Morpeth in Northumberland. In England, police briefly closed part of the A1 northbound between Gosforth and Morpeth in Northumberland.
A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "A number of vehicles became stuck in the snow and as a result police decided not to allow any more through until conditions improved."A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "A number of vehicles became stuck in the snow and as a result police decided not to allow any more through until conditions improved."
The road was later reopened and traffic was reported to be flowing in both directions.
Cleveland police assisted several motorists involved in minor accidents following heavy falls in the Saltburn area.Cleveland police assisted several motorists involved in minor accidents following heavy falls in the Saltburn area.
A Cleveland police spokeswoman described conditions as "treacherous" and urged drivers to postpone journeys until the weather improves.A Cleveland police spokeswoman described conditions as "treacherous" and urged drivers to postpone journeys until the weather improves.
In neighbouring County Durham, police said most roads were passable, but only with care.In neighbouring County Durham, police said most roads were passable, but only with care.
In Scotland, police in Grampian reported two minor road accidents in the Moray area due to icy road conditions. Light showers
Warmer weather Snow has also been falling - but not settling - as far south as Bexhill in Sussex.
Forecasters predicted that snowfalls will be patchy across the country. London might see some light flurries of snow - but these are expected to turn to sleet and rain later in the day. A spokesman for Kent County Council said what has fallen so far "has not been anything like as heavy" as expected.
Mark Chambers sent in this picture of snow in Lincoln By late Wednesday afternoon no snow had fallen in London - although there were some light showers in Bracknell, High Wycombe and Reading.
Chris Fawkes of the BBC Weather Centre said: "Over the next few hours the cold weather will push though to central and southern England, but we are not expecting heavy snowfalls - about 1cm deep in some areas, but no more. In Hull, Lee Platts' daughter Rachel enjoys her first snow
"It won't settle for long, because warmer weather is on its way." Weather experts say the snow has been caused by cold air from the Continent meeting rain over the North Sea.
Temperatures on Thursday will range between 0 and 3 degrees Celsius (32 to 37 Fahrenheit) in parts of the UK, but the wind will make it feel even colder. Darren Bett of the BBC Weather Centre said: "As time goes on the risk of snow in the south diminishes by the minute.
But the first cold snap of the New Year is likely to be short-lived, with temperatures in south west England reaching as high as 10 degrees C by Friday. "However, on Friday we are predicting more snow in Northern Ireland and on hills in northern England and Scotland."
In the south, the snap will be short lived with temperatures rising to around 7 degrees C in the English midlands.
Plymouth is the south west is set to enjoy an above-average temperature of 10 degrees C.
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