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Storms set to get worse across UK Storms set to get worse across UK
(about 1 hour later)
Snow is expected to strike many parts of Britain, with showers forecast to fall in several areas. Snow is expected to fall in many parts of Britain, with strong winds causing blizzards in parts of Scotland.
Blizzards are forecast for Scotland, while the North East of England and East Anglia are also predicted to see plenty of snow. Bad weather preparations have been launched across the North East of England and East Anglia which are also predicted to see plenty of snow.
It comes as rescuers airlifted 23 passengers and crew from a ferry which ran aground at Blackpool in high seas.It comes as rescuers airlifted 23 passengers and crew from a ferry which ran aground at Blackpool in high seas.
Motorists across the country have already been hit by high winds which have caused several accidents.Motorists across the country have already been hit by high winds which have caused several accidents.
Caution urgedCaution urged
Council gritters in many parts of England have been out overnight to try and combat the effects of the snowfall. Council gritters in many parts of England have been out overnight to try to combat the effects of the snowfall.
Our main concern nowis any pollution or problems that could occur Mark ClarkMaritime and Coastguard Agency Ferry runs aground BBC forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said Scotland could expect gales and 20cm to 30cm of snow across the hills, but added "this is not unusual" for the region. Our main concern now is any pollution or problems that could occur Mark ClarkMaritime and Coastguard Agency Ferry runs aground BBC forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said Scotland could expect gales and 20cm to 30cm of snow across the hills, but added "this is not unusual" for the region.
There will be snow in the North East of England as well as Yorkshire and Cumbria starting around lunchtime.There will be snow in the North East of England as well as Yorkshire and Cumbria starting around lunchtime.
Later in the day the snow will reach Lincolnshire and East Anglia. The rest of the UK will have a mixture of wintry flurries and sunny spells.Later in the day the snow will reach Lincolnshire and East Anglia. The rest of the UK will have a mixture of wintry flurries and sunny spells.
Hazardous conditionsHazardous conditions
  • A fishing vessel with 14 people on board has run aground on the island of St Kilda in the Outer Hebrides. The crew were on deck in life jackets, but due to storm-force winds lifeguards have been unable to deploy life rafts.
  • The grounded ferry is a freight vessel that had been taking trucks from Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland to the port of Heysham in Lancashire. There are now fears of possible pollution from its fuel and cargo
  • Some schools in Shropshire are closing early on Friday because of the snow that is forecast. The decision came after a severe weather warning from Shropshire County Council.
  • A fishing vessel with 14 people on board has run aground on the island of St Kilda in the Outer Hebrides. The crew were on deck in life jackets, but due to storm-force winds lifeguards have been unable to deploy life rafts
  • On Thursday a 45-year-old lorry driver died on the M6 near Tebay, Cumbria, as his lorry overturned in 70 mph gusts.
  • Some schools in Shropshire are closing early on Friday because of the snow that is forecast. The decision came after a severe weather warning from Shropshire County Council
  • In Wales, about 1,000 homes were left without power on Thursday in Gwynedd and two schools, John Beddoes High in Presteigne and Whitton Primary schools in Powys, closed because of a power failure.
  • On Thursday a 45-year-old lorry driver died on the M6 near Tebay, Cumbria, as his lorry overturned in 70 mph gusts
  • In Moseley, Birmingham, a baby girl had to be taken to hospital after a strong gust knocked her and the pushchair she was in into a lake.
  • In Wales, about 1,000 homes were left without power on Thursday in Gwynedd and two schools, John Beddoes High in Presteigne and Whitton Primary schools in Powys, closed because of a power failure
  • The Forth Road Bridge, west of Edinburgh, was closed after a lorry earlier overturned in high winds.
  • In Moseley, Birmingham, a baby girl had to be taken to hospital after a strong gust knocked her and the pushchair she was in into a lake
  • The Port of Dover in Kent closed for a time after gusts of up to 60mph forced it to close.
  • The Forth Road Bridge, west of Edinburgh, was closed after a lorry earlier overturned in high winds
  • The Port of Dover in Kent was forced to close for a time after it was hit by gusts of up to 60mph.
    • Where possible, motorists should postpone car journeys until the weather clears, but those who do need to be out on the roads may find they need to cope with weather related hazards AA spokesmanWhere possible, motorists should postpone car journeys until the weather clears, but those who do need to be out on the roads may find they need to cope with weather related hazards AA spokesman
    Chairman of the Local Government Association Transport and Regeneration Board, Councillor David Sparks, said: "Councils up and down the country are on high alert for the wintry weather forecast this week.Chairman of the Local Government Association Transport and Regeneration Board, Councillor David Sparks, said: "Councils up and down the country are on high alert for the wintry weather forecast this week.
    "The stockpiling of grit, combined with investment in new technology, means that local authorities will be able to tackle icy road conditions before they become potentially dangerous for drivers.""The stockpiling of grit, combined with investment in new technology, means that local authorities will be able to tackle icy road conditions before they become potentially dangerous for drivers."
    The AA advised motorists to prepare for journeys by checking local traffic and weather reports.The AA advised motorists to prepare for journeys by checking local traffic and weather reports.
    A spokesman said: "Where possible, motorists should postpone car journeys until the weather clears, but those who do need to be out on the roads may find they need to cope with weather related hazards.A spokesman said: "Where possible, motorists should postpone car journeys until the weather clears, but those who do need to be out on the roads may find they need to cope with weather related hazards.
    "Decreased visibility is one of those, so make sure you de-mist before you set off.""Decreased visibility is one of those, so make sure you de-mist before you set off."
    Do you know anyone who was on the ferry? Have you been affected by bad weather in your area? Are you finding it difficult to travel because of the storms? Send us your experiences using the form below.Do you know anyone who was on the ferry? Have you been affected by bad weather in your area? Are you finding it difficult to travel because of the storms? Send us your experiences using the form below.
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    At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
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