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Watch: Snowy scenes as cold snap hits UK

  1. Scotland records coldest early winter night since 1998published at 09:48 Greenwich Mean Time

    A wintry scene at Inverurie in AberdeenshireImage source, Doric/BBC weather Watchers
    Image caption,

    A wintry scene at Inverurie in Aberdeenshire

    Scotland has recorded its coldest early winter temperatures since 1998, as snow and ice covered areas of the country overnight.

    Temperatures below minus 10C were recorded in some parts of northern Scotland, including Braemar in Aberdeenshire which reached a low of minus 11.2C.

    The last time minus 10.9C or lower was recorded on or before 19 November was in 1998.

    A wintry scene in ShetlandImage source, Sarah J/BBC Weather Watchers
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    BBC Weather Watcher Sarah J took this image in Shetland

  2. In pictures: A cow, a cat and geese brave the snowy weatherpublished at 09:40 Greenwich Mean Time

    Image of cow was taken in Brill, Buckinghamshire by one of our Weather WatchersImage source, BBC Weather Watchers
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    A cow braves the heavy snow in Buckinghamshire

    Picture of a cat in snow taken in Penn, Buckinghamshire by another Weather Watcher, Robyn-LeighImage source, BBC Weather Watchers
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    A cat, with a strong stare, takes a seat on a pillow of snow

    Geese walk across snow covered ground at a park in Buxton, DerbyshireImage source, PA Media
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    Geese take a stroll on the ice in a Derbyshire park

  3. Here are some tips for driving in snow and icepublished at 09:28 Greenwich Mean Time

    First, clear your windscreen, windows, roof and lights of any snow - but don't use boiling water, this can crack the glass.

    If you drive a manual car, pull away gently in second and stay in a higher gear for better control. Most automatics have a "snow" or "winter" gearbox mode.

    Careful driving is all about looking ahead. Brake, steer and accelerate smoothly, but don't drive too slowly or you might lose momentum when you need it.

    And remember, stopping distances are up to 10 times greater in snow and ice, so give yourself plenty of time to react.

    A graphic of stopping distances for cars driving in snow and ice. These increase by up to 10 times.
  4. What about travel disruption?published at 09:15 Greenwich Mean Time

    Snow and ice brings with it warnings for drivers and commuters, with disruption for trains and airports already being reported this morning.

    In Scotland, disruption is expected for trains between Ayr and Maybole this morning, as services will be cancelled, delayed or revised.

    Train service between Edinburgh and Fife, Perth and Dundee on Scot Rail may also be delayed or cancelled due to a signalling issue in Kirkcaldy.

    In England, Greater Angliatrains have been delayed between Kennett and Cambridge due to signalling problems, trains can still run but they will be disrupted.

    East Midlands Airport have said that their runway is clear of snow, but passengers may still face delays for departures as crews work to de-ice planes and walkways.

    In Wales, snow left one road impassable and collisions on two others roads. A tree blocking the railway line between Wrexham General and Rhiwabon has caused services to be delayed or cancelled. It is not clear if this is a direct result of the adverse weather.

    We'll keep you up to date with the latest travel disruption across the UK, stay with us.

  5. Snow closes 130 schools and shuts roads in Walespublished at 09:12 Greenwich Mean Time

    Snow covered parts of north-east Wales overnight, including this farm at Llanfair-Dyffryn-Clwyd, DenbighshireImage source, Ruth Davies | BBC Weather Watchers
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    Snow covered parts of north-east Wales overnight, including this farm at Llanfair-Dyffryn-Clwyd, Denbighshire

    We've been reporting on school closures in Wales after heavy snowfall overnight.

    So far some 130 schools in Powys, Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham have reported that they will be shut today.

    Snow left one road impassable and collisions on two others roads.

  6. Parts of UK wake up to first snowpublished at 09:02 Greenwich Mean Time

    Helen Willetts
    BBC Weather

    A map showing the three yellow weather warnings covering northern Scotland, northern England, and parts of Northern Ireland, the Midlands and north-east Wales.

    Winter has arrived early!

    Many places across Northern England, Wales, the Midlands woke up to their first snow cover of the season.

    Since then, snow has also been falling in the home counties and in central London too.

    Slippery conditions will be a hazard on untreated roads and pavements.

    The usual higher roads across the Peak district and Pennines have been affected, closed in places too.

    Warnings of snow and ice are still valid until later this morning.

    The wintry mix will continue to edge southwards, so don't be surprised to see a light covering, however it’s not expected to settle on the larger roads.

    Cold and bright weather has already set in across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England.

    It will feel much colder today especially when the brisk north wind is factored in.

  7. More than 40 schools close in the West Midlandspublished at 08:58 Greenwich Mean Time

    Allen Cook
    Reporter

    More than 40 schools have closed in the West Midlands after overnight snow made driving conditions difficult in parts of the area.

    The majority were shut in Shropshire and Worcestershire with others closed in Staffordshire and Herefordshire.

    Overall, travel disruption appears to have been minimal compared to normal conditions but drivers have been urged to take extra time.

    Cars covered in snow parked on a street
  8. In Photos: Snow sweeps across parts of UKpublished at 08:47 Greenwich Mean Time

    Many parts of the UK are experiencing their first snow of the season after temperatures plummeted overnight.

    Our BBC Weather Watchers from across the country have been sending pictures of the conditions in their areas. Have a peek below.

    A photo showing trees covered in snow in Hawarden, Flintshire.Image source, BBC Weather Watchers
    Cars, houses and roads covered in snow in a neighbourhood in Dudley, West Midlands.Image source, BBC Weather Watchers
    A road and trees covered in snow in Wrexham, North Wales.Image source, BBC Weather Watchers
  9. Snow reaches Londonpublished at 08:41 Greenwich Mean Time

    A view of the first snowflakes in LondonImage source, Getty Images

    Snowy weather has now reached London, external.

    It doesn't snow every year in the capital city, and often not as early as November.

    There was heavy snowfall in December 2022, which led to major disruption on the transport network.

    The Met Office has issued three yellow warnings, external for snow and ice in northern Scotland, northern England, and parts of Northern Ireland, the Midlands and north-east Wales. There's no weather warning in London at the moment.

  10. Snow depths could reach 20cm in parts of UKpublished at 08:36 Greenwich Mean Time

    As snow falls across parts of the UK with three yellow warnings, the Met Office says that the most likely scenario is for the snow to build up on hills - with 5 to 10cm possible above 200 metres and as much as 15 to 20cm above 300 metres.

    They add that there is a chance of snow settling at lower levels, where 5 to 10 cm would prove much more disruptive - this remains uncertain, but seems most likely across parts of Derbyshire.

    BBC Weather has taken a look at snow depths across the UK. Watnall - a village on the outskirts of Nottingham - will see as much as 12 cm depths of snow.

    Meanwhile, Cranwell in Lincolnshire, Lake Vrnywy in Wales, Altnaharra in Sutherland, Leek Thorncliffe on the edge of the Peak District and Hawarden in Flintshire are expected to face snow depths of 3 to 8cm.

    Graphic from BBC Weather showing snow depths across the UK
  11. Two schools closed in Lincolnshirepublished at 08:20 Greenwich Mean Time

    David McKenna
    Reporter

    The cold weather has led to several school closures in Lincolnshire, including Aegir Specialist Academy and Warren Wood Academy in Gainsborough, which have closed due to heating issues.

    Elsewhere, Sir William Robertson Academy in Welbourn, near Lincoln, has closed due to heavy snowfall overnight.

    "Many routes to the school are unsafe to travel this morning and our first priority has to be the safety of pupils and staff," the school said in a post on social media.

    A number of bus services across the county have also been affected by the weather.

  12. Even more schools close in Wales due to weatherpublished at 08:20 Greenwich Mean Time

    We're receiving more updates about schools shuttered today because of ongoing snowy weather.

    There are now 103 schools closed in the Powys, Wrexham and Flintshire areas of Wales.

  13. In pictures: People wake up to snow across the UKpublished at 08:08 Greenwich Mean Time

    A person walks their dog through snow in WarwickImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    A person walks their dog through snow in Warwick

    A scattering of overnight snow at Durham Cathedral in North East EnglandImage source, PA Media
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    A scattering of overnight snow at Durham Cathedral in north-east England

    Sheep graze in a snow covered field on a farm in Clayton West, West YorkshireImage source, PA Media
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    Sheep graze in a snow covered field on a farm in Clayton West, West Yorkshire

    Snow begins to fall on a car in Lee Park LiverpoolImage source, PA Media
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    Weather warnings are currently in place in northern Ireland, the Midlands and parts of north-east Wales until 11:00 this morning - snow has fallen in Liverpool this morning

  14. Snow closes 58 schools in Walespublished at 07:59 Greenwich Mean Time

    About 58 schools in the Powys, Wrexham and Flintshire areas of Wales have been closed because of snow.

    The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice in north-east Wales on Monday.

    In Lincolnshire, two schools have been shut down because of the snowy weather.

    Snow started falling across parts of the country on Monday in what the national weather forecaster is describing as the country’s “first taste of winter”.

  15. Three yellow warnings in place across the UKpublished at 07:54 Greenwich Mean Time

    The Met Office has issued three yellow warnings, external for snow and ice in northern Scotland, northern England, and parts of Northern Ireland, the Midlands and north-east Wales.

    The warning for Northern Ireland is currently in place until 10:00 this morning, while northern England, the Midlands and parts of north-east Wales are expected to have snow and ice until 11:00.

    The weather warning for Scotland will remain in place until 10:00 on Wednesday.

    The Met Office has warned up to 20cm of snow may accumulate in the worst affected areas as the country with possible travel delays and disruption on roads.

    It also says power cuts may occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected by weather conditions.

  16. Commuters warned of disruption as snow falls across UKpublished at 07:51 Greenwich Mean Time

    The Met Office has issued weather alerts for snow and ice, warning motorists and commuters of possible disruption after snow started falling across parts of the country yesterday.

    National Rail said the weather could have an impact on Northern Rail services in Yorkshire until at least 14:00 GMT today, while Mersey Rail warned that the first services of the day would run without passengers so lines could be checked after temperatures fell to minus 3C overnight.

    National Highways has issued an amber severe weather alert for snow on roads in the North East and North West regions of England.

    It said roads including the M56 in Manchester and the M1 at Leeds and Sheffield could see up to 5cm of snow.

    The Met Office warnings for parts of Northern Ireland is place until 10:00, while the warning lasts until 11:00 for areas in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the north of England.

    The warning in northern Scotland lasts until 10:00 on Wednesday.

  17. Snow and ice warnings as UK gets taste of winterpublished at 07:50 Greenwich Mean Time

    Snow begins to fall in Lee Park Liverpool. The UK is bracing for snow, ice and cold temperatures as up to 20cm of snow could hit the UK over the coming daysImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Snow begins to fall in Lee Park Liverpool

    Brrrrrrrrrrrr.... it's nippy outside across the country, with the Met Office saying we're getting the "first taste of winter".

    Motorists and commuters are being warned of possible disruption, and there are three yellow warnings in place for snow and ice in northern England, the Midlands, Scotland, north-east Wales and parts of Northern Ireland.

    Snow has started falling in parts of the country. Scotland has recorded the coldest temperatures since last winter, with minus 7.8C logged in Tulloch Bridge, in the Scottish Highlands.

    Our advice: wrap up warm and stay with us for updates.