Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter

Image source, BBC/noregretsireland

Winter weather blasted into the UK today, with snow starting falling across the country this evening.

Amber and yellow warnings are in place and are forecast to continue into tomorrow, but should end around midday.

We’re expecting the weather system to progress north - with up to 40cm of snow predicted to accumulate in elevated areas.

We're pausing our live coverage on the snowy conditions for now, but we’ll be back with more information soon on how the winter weather could affect your plans this weekend.

If you're looking to learn more about this ongoing story, we've got you covered with an overview of the weather warnings, alongside other winter tips - including how to drive in poor conditions.

For a bit of levity, you can take a browse through photos we've been receiving all day of the winter weather.

Thanks for joining us - and keep warm. You can keep up to date with the latest from us on the weather in our new live page.

In Wiltshire, local police say it could be a "long cold night" for people who decide to venture out in the snow.

In a post on X, the Wiltshire Police Special Constabulary - a voluntary arm of the force - notes that the weather has "turned very quickly", which it says is "causing chaos all over the county".

"Do not travel unless absolutely necessary," it says. "Otherwise you could find yourself having a long cold night."

The police force adds that roads are currently being closed in the region due to a high number of incidents.

Over the past couple of hours, we've been reporting on incidents on the roads in Somerset, including a "number of collisions" on the M5.

Now, Avon and Somerset Police is urging people to "only travel if necessary" due to "significant road disruption, particularly in parts of Somerset".

No injuries have been reported so far.

Reports of snowfall are reaching us from across the country.

We can bring you the latest updates now from the BBC Weather Watchers dog command - here are a few of them, reporting from the snowy scenes in Hampshire, Cardiff and Powys.

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/ TraceyOllie

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/ a971

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/ niknak

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Weather

The amber snow and ice warnings in effect will expire across the Midlands, parts of northern England and Wales at midday tomorrow.

You'll notice that the same area is covered by a rain warning from 06:00 GMT tomorrow.

That's because the front with the snow will push northwards dragging milder air behind it. Across the Midlands and Wales southwards, the milder air will eventually win and any snow will turn to rain.

The amber warning for snow further north across northern England including the Pennines is valid until midnight on Sunday. Here, the cold air remains.

The ground is higher here and snow could continue to fall until the end of the day and overnight, with accumulations of up to 40cm. There's a risk of drifting snow, and travelling should be avoided - especially on higher routes.

By Monday morning the low pressure system bringing the rain and snow will have cleared the UK.Two warnings remain into Monday morning across Scotland for snow and ice.

More warnings are likely to be issued for the coming days.

Image source, PA Media

Flood alerts are in place across much of the country in addition to the yellow and amber warnings.

Across southern counties of England and southern Wales, snow is likely to turn back to rain as milder air pushes in tomorrow.

According to the government website, the Environment Agency currently has 40 flood alerts, external in place across England, while Natural Resources Wales has activated another four in Wales.

The regions affected range from Cornwall in the south west, to the north east coast in Bridlington.

In these areas, residents are warned that flooding is possible and that they should be prepared, though widespread flooding is not expected at this point.

We're seeing further reports of road incidents in the south-west, again on the M5 (we reported earlier that a car had overturned, temporarily closing part of the motorway).

National Highways now says a "number of collisions" have occurred on the M5 in both directions between Weston-super-Mare and Taunton in Somerset.

Southbound traffic was held for around 20 minutes between junctions 24 and 25. All lanes have now reopened.

It is not yet clear if there have been any injuries, but we'll keep watch for updates.

Miriam Barker
BBC Wales News

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Emma

Snow has started falling in many places across Wales, with Pontypridd in Rhondda Cynon Taf (pictured above) already having a little blanket of snow.

The amber weather warning for snow and ice covers all counties except Anglesey.

It came into force at 18:00 GMT – and is in place until midday on Sunday.

And while there is uncertainty, about 3-7cm of snow could be seen in most areas, with higher places potentially seeing up to 30cm.

Emma Pengelly
BBC News

We're hearing now that Bristol Airport is suspending its operations due to the weather.

A spokesperson for the airport says that their teams are "working hard on snow clearing but challenging weather means that flight operations have been suspended until later tonight."

The conditions are expected to largely impact incoming flights, "but any concerned customers are advised to contact their airline for more information", they add.

A passenger at Bristol Airport tells us his flight has been cancelled because snow has closed a runway.

Andrew Baxter is trying fly to Edinburgh, where he then faces a three-hour drive home to Kinlochleven in the Scottish Highlands.

Andrew tells us: "It's quiet and calm at the airport, but waiting passengers suspected there would be significant delays once it started snowing outside and departure boards said wait for information."

A little while later announcements came through saying the runway had been close due to the snow, to allow work crews time to clear it.

"Then we've just been told that flights to Belfast, Barcelona and Paris are all cancelled.

"No one seems angry, just resigned to the fact."

Image source, Andrew Baxter

Image source, PA Media

As National Highways warns drivers to take extra care if travelling this weekend because of the inclement weather forecast, here's some agency-endorsed tips to stay safe on the roads:

• Keep your distance - you might need up to 10 times the normal gap behind the car in front
• Accelerate gently - there's no need for high revs, and taking off in second gear can sometimes help avoid skidding
• Be wary in freezing rain - in these conditions it's best to reduce speed, increase distance between vehicles, and watch out for slippery black ice
• Look out for gritters - they'll be out spreading salt or using snow ploughs, so only overtake if it's safe

Our colleagues over in the south-west of England have been reporting on a series of road incidents there, as snow continues to fall across the region.

The M5 between Bridgwater and Taunton in Somerset was closed for a short while after a car overturned. No serious injuries were reported and National Highways says the road has now reopened.

A two-car collision was also reported on the A37 near Farrington Gurney - also in Somerset. Again, there were no injuries reported, but the road remains closed.

• You can keep up with our coverage of the weather in the south-west over on our separate regional page

With amber warnings in place across northern regions including Yorkshire, emergency services are bracing themselves for a busy 24 hours.

One team making its preparations is the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, which will be fielding emergency calls should anyone find themselves caught by the weather.

Speaking to the BBC, station manager Mark Upton asks people to only travel if necessary.

“If you are going to travel in the snow then please take some supplies with you; some food, drink, a charged mobile phone,” he suggests.

Earlier on, we reported some advice on what to do if your car gets stuck in the snow, and Upton describes how important it is to make sure your vehicle is ready for the wintry conditions.

“Make sure your windows are clear and de-iced and de-misted, take a jacket and blanket,” he adds. “Things like that, just to keep warm in case you do get trapped.”

The expected flurries of snow are beginning to arrive around the UK, and you've been sending in your pictures.

We've been seeing photos of snowfall in the west of England, including in Wiltshire. As the front travels north, some photos show us that roads are covered in snow in parts of Wales and Yorkshire.

Take a look at what our Weather Watchers have sent in - and stick with us for updates on when your area might be impacted.

If you've got your own photos to share, you can sign up to be a Weather Watcher, too.

Or, email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk , external- we're also on WhatsApp at +44 7756 165803.

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/I blame Graeme

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/CraigRich

Image source, BBC Weather Watechers/AstroMike

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/whethertheweatherbefine

Nicky Schiller
Reporting from Leeds

I'm in Leeds, which falls under the amber warning area for snow. That warning stretches across Yorkshire, up to Northumberland and across to Cumbria.

It is due to come into force at 21:00 GMT - and if the forecasts are right, some high areas of the Pennines could see up to 40cm of snow.

Even areas lower down could get between 5-15cm.

On the way up to Leeds all along the M1 there were warning signs of the severe weather. Right now, it's a waiting game to see where gets hit, and how hard.

Emma Pengelly
BBC News

The threat of the snow isn't keeping everyone indoors and wrapped up warm this week.

Phil Hunt and his 17-year-old son Miller decided to start 2025 with an extreme camping experience.

On Thursday night, the pair camped in the Peak District and found themselves waking up to a snowy scene.

The father and son regularly enjoy pitching up at locations across the UK.

Phil, 49, from Nottingham, tells us that “good quality sleeping bags and layers” are the secret to camping in comfort in sub-zero temperatures.

Image source, Phil Hunt

Is it snowing in your area? How have you been affected by the cold weather?

We'd love for you to share your stories, photos and videos.

Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, external or send a WhatsApp to +44 7756 165803.

Our colleagues at BBC Points West are getting wide reports of snow south of the M4.

They say there are flurries in Bradley Stoke near Bristol, and one reporter explains it has been snowing in near Longleat in Wiltshire for the past hour.

Meanwhile, there is snow down the M5 corridor through Somerset.

We’re now starting to see snowfall in the west of the UK, and BBC Weather’s Ben Rich says more is to come as the night progresses.

Throughout the day, there has been rain and light snow in the south-west. As the weather system pushes into Wales and the Midlands, Rich says we’ll start to see a lot more snowfall - particularly on higher ground, where he says there might be up to 30cm in some places.

As this front moves into northern England, Rich predicts there might be 40cm of snow falling in the Pennines.

He says there will be "a range of hazards across quite large parts of the UK over the next 24 hours”.

As for what comes after the next day or two, the weather expert predicts that cold weather is here to stay, and adds that it is going to feel very cold through the coming week.

Image source, Facebook/Eden Police

Earlier on, we reported on a multi-vehicle crash which blocked a snowy road in the Lake District.

Now, Eden Police say that their officers were deployed to Wrynose Pass to assist colleagues from Kendal.

In a social media post, they say that this was in response to "six vehicles stuck on ice". The occupants were safely rescued.

The road is now closed along with Hardknott Pass due to the adverse conditions, the police force says.

An amber weather warning for snow and ice is in place across Cumbria.

• Stranded drivers rescued in icy conditions

An amber warning has taken effect as of 18:00 GMT. We're hearing reports now that snow is beginning to fall across parts of the west already this evening.

In Somerset, there are reports of snowfall in Taunton and the Quantocks.

Yellow and amber warnings are in place around the country, with the Met Office saying snow and ice are expected. Stay with us as we follow the latest updates