In the days before "Snowmageddon", here's how BBC reported the snow six decades ago.

Three flood warnings - demanding immediate precautionary action - still remain in place at:

• North Sea at Whitley Bay, Cullercoats and Tynemouth, external
• Swanage Bay, external
• Tyne Estuary at North Shields, South Shields and Howdon Pans, external

None of these are currently severe nor represent danger to life.

A further ten flood alerts, which indicate flooding is possible and that residents must be prepared, are in place at 10 locations across the country:

• North Sea Coast at Bridlington, external
• North Sea Coast from Staithes to Whitby including tidal River Esk, external
• North Sea Coast from Whitby to Filey, external
• Severn Estuary at Severn Beach, external
• Somerset coast at Porlock Weir, external
• South Devon Coast from Start Point to Dawlish Warren, external
• Tidal flooding of areas near the Lincolnshire Coastline, external
• Tidal flooding of areas near the South Humber Bank, external
• Tyne and Wear Coast, external
• Wear Estuary, external

Image source, Getty Images

Charities have been stepping up their efforts to bring rough sleepers in from the cold as London experiences its longest period of freezing weather for seven years.

Petra Salva, from the charity St Mungo's, said deaths on the streets during the bitterly cold snap were "a horrific possibility".

It comes as some 500 extra beds in shelters, hostels and churches have been made available in the capital.

London Paddington station has now partially reopened with a reduced service in operation.

Passengers should expect a reduced timetable and are advised to check with operators before they travel.

Snowfall has caused huge disruption to much of the country but two residents of the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay feel right at home in these conditions - snow leopards Otila and Szecsuan.

The animals are native to central Asia and are found in high, rugged, mountainous landscapes.

Image source, Welsh Mountain Zoo

Image source, Welsh Mountain Zoo

Bristol Airport remains open this morning despite the Met Office upgrading weather warnings in other parts of south-west England to the highest level of red.

A statement from an airport spokesperson said snow across Europe and the UK had caused disruption to a number of flights.

"De-icing of aircraft and snow clearing is currently taking place.

"Additional staff are on site to assist with the adverse weather response.

"It is a rapidly changing situation and passengers are advised to check with their airline prior to making their way to the airport."

"The Couple", a sculpture by Sean Henry on the coast at Newbiggin-By-The-Sea in Northumberland, found itself frozen in time as Storm Emma met the Beast from the East.Note the casual look of resignation - they're a brave couple not wearing coats in this weather.

Image source, PA

Jonathan Amos
Science correspondent, BBC News, in Pasadena

As the UK and the wider European continent shivers, the Arctic has witnessed some spectacularly high temperatures in recent days, some 30 degrees above average in places.

Such a topsy-turvy picture inevitably has people wondering if this isn't some kind of fall-out from global warming. But, as ever, meteorologists will not conflate single events with more longer-term trends. The UK Met Office, for example, is adamant that what is occurring now should be regarded as part of the natural ups and downs we get in our weather.

It is true that the Arctic generally is warming faster than the rest of the globe and that the reduced differential between polar and mid-latitude temperatures could make for more bumpy weather like we're having now, but this remains an area for active study.

This is currently the scene in Britain's highest village - Flash in Staffordshire.

The A537 Cat and Fiddle route is closed, along with the A53 between Leek and Buxton, due to the snow.

An Essex council has been forced to close their public toilets because of the sub-zero conditions.

Tonight's Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City is at risk of being cancelled, with a decision likely to be made in the next few hours.

Officials at Arsenal are currently speaking to the Met Police and will announce their decision in due course.

Kick-off at the Emirates Stadium is scheduled for 19:45 GMT.

Horse racing fans are also in for a day of disappointment, with Newcastle Racecourse cancelling today's action. Other racecourses are expected to follow suit.

Drivers across the UK are facing a challenge getting their cars up and running in the snow.

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

Image source, Getty Images

Meanwhile, others took a more artistic approach.

Send your pictures to BBC Weather Watchers and we will select the best for our live page throughout the day.

Image source, Heathrow Express

This picture goes some way to explaining why London Paddington remains closed.

The busy west London train station was shut at 08:00 and there is still no indication as to when Paddington will re-open.

National Rail says long distance trains will not run between Reading and Paddington; and an hourly service will run between Reading and Bristol Temple Meads.

Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect services are all currently suspended.

Snow, high winds and ice are affecting the road networks, with severe delays on a number of motorways.

There are delays on the M6 southbound after a car collided with the central reservation between junctions 14 and 15 - one of the three lanes has been closed.

Drivers on the M62 are experiencing severe delays in both directions between junctions 21 and 25.

Drivers in Scotland are being advised to completely avoid the M80 and M876, where drivers were stuck overnight. Vehicles are still stuck on both motorways and there are severe delays.

For the latest updates for your area, follow the relevant links below:

• Updates for Scotland, external
• Updates for England, external
• Updates for north Wales, external and south Wales, external
• Updates for Northern Ireland, external

Image source, PA