Businesses in Whitby took the warnings seriously and got ready for incoming water last night. 

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

As residents in Jaywick, Essex, evacuate their homes, BBC Essex shares pictures from the 1953 floods.

Some flights at Manchester Airport have been delayed because of snow. A spokesman said: "We are experiencing some delays at the moment whilst aircraft get de-iced." 

How to deal with skidding on snowy roads...

Police forces are urging drivers to be careful if they are out on the roads this morning after a number of crashes. 

Severe flood warnings - meaning a danger to life - have been cut to 12, but there are still 85 medium warnings - meaning immediate action is required - in place and a further 85 flood alerts, which mean "be prepared".

There are still a number of yellow "be aware" weather warnings too from the Met Office for wind, snow and ice.

To keep up-to-date with flood warnings, click here, external. 

For weather warnings, click here, external. 

About 1,100 properties in Suffolk are at high risk of flooding and plans are in place to evacuate homes and businesses.

The Environment Agency has warned of two peak times where the risk will be highest - around 12:00 GMT and 21:00 GMT. 

Police officers will be visiting homes in the affected areas to give people information on local rest centres they can go to. 

Superintendent Kerry Cutler, of Suffolk Constabulary, said: "We are taking this matter extremely seriously and would urge people in the areas likely to be affected to do the same. 

"Rest centres have been established in the county and people in those areas are encouraged to find alternative accommodation outside of the affected areas or make their way to the nearest rest centre well in advance of the high tide times.

"We continue to work with agencies both locally, regionally and nationally to make sure we are in the best possible position to safeguard Suffolk people."

Latest figures suggest 29 schools in Scotland have been closed this morning because of the wintry weather.

Environment Agency chief executive Sir James Bevan said he did not think today's storm would be as powerful as the one that caused the east coast flood of 1953 - described as the worst national peacetime disaster to hit the UK. 

However, he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there could be "potentially significant effects" including flooding. 

He said: "It's very important to underline that there are two high tides today coming down the east coast, north to south. 

"The first is coming in at the moment slightly under the height that we expected, the second, due this evening, may come out slightly higher than has been anticipated. 

"We will stay very active throughout the day on the ground, we will continue to warn and inform the communities that are at risk, and I would like to urge everybody to remain vigilant and to continue to follow our flood warnings."

Soldiers and police officers are due to carry out an evacuation of about 5,000 properties in Great Yarmouth after a severe weather warning was issued. 

Properties in South Yarmouth, North Yarmouth, Caister, Southtown and Cobholm areas are being evacuated from 10:00 GMT with additional police resources drafted in alongside military personnel.

High tides and extreme weather conditions are expected tonight, with high water peaking at around 21:15 GMT. 

Other locations currently identified as likely to be most affected are Wells, Walcott, Salthouse and King's Lynn.

Superintendent Dave Buckley said: "Norfolk has tried and tested flood response plans which are currently in the process of being activated, in line with Environment Agency advice.

"A multi-agency co-ordinating group has been convened twice to ensure appropriate plans and resources are in place."

Ice, rather than snow, appears to be main issue in London. 

Police are evacuating up to 2,500 people from their homes in the Essex coastal village. 

Surrey County Council has been the latest local authority to announce school closures because of the bad weather. 

To check your school, click here, external.  

As it stands, there are now 16 severe flood warnings across the UK, mostly focused along the east coast of England.

Coastal communities in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex have been told they should be prepared for large waves and possible flooding.

In Lincolnshire, 100 soldiers have been deployed to “warn and inform” about the potential risks from a flood surge expected to hit on Friday lunchtime.  

Scotland and the north of England were covered in a blanket of snow when people woke up this morning.

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for combinations of high winds, snow and ice.

Guernsey States-owned airline Aurigny said it is working on solutions to limit the impact of snow and strong winds due to hit the islands and the UK over the next few days.

The company told BBC Radio Guernsey that with London City Airport more vulnerable to adverse weather than other London airports, it has taken the decision to cancel flights there this morning.

Passengers on these flights can rebook on an alternative flight free of charge or cancel for a refund.

It has also cancelled the flight between Guernsey and Manchester due to the forecast. Flights to Gatwick may face delays but are due to operate.

The threat from this morning's predicted storm surge along the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire coast has passed, according to the Environment Agency.  

Leigh Edlin, from the agency, told BBC Radio Lincolnshire the weather "has been in our favour".

However, he added that there was still a renewed risk later today.

"This evening's tide will be higher between 18:00 GMT and 19:00 GMT, and there's still some risk of spray and potential overlapping in this afternoon's tide," said Mr Edlin.

People living along the North Yorkshire and Lincolnshire coast should still exercise caution, he added.