Summary

  • Two yellow warnings for snow and ice remain in place

  • Rail disruption across the UK's train operators

  • Flood alerts and warnings in the North East and south-west England

  • Friday's Lewisham trains disruption being investigated

  1. Water fountain freezes in the Cotswoldspublished at 13:23 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Some bitterly cold weather in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, has frozen this water fountain, captured by Nigel Roberts.

    Media caption,

    A pretty sight as water feature freezes in Malmesbury.

  2. 'Risk of blizzards' as Storm Emma heads to UKpublished at 13:13 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    The Met Office said Storm Emma, which has been named by Portugal's weather service, could bring blizzards and freezing rain later in the week.

    The storm is out in the Atlantic at the moment but may bring snow and gales to Britain on Thursday and Friday.

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  3. In pictures: Having fun in the snowpublished at 13:09 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Families are making the most of the hundreds of school closures today.

    People use their sleds in the snow in Jacksons Field in Rochester.Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    People are flocking to Jacksons Field in Rochester, Kent, where snow is heavy and perfect for sledging.

    A sign is used as a sledge in the snow in Jacksons Field in RochesterImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    In Rochester, temperatures are -1C, colder than Reykjavik in Iceland.

    Brett Canham prepares his catering stall on Scarborough seafront, as heavy snowfall is affecting roads across the UK on Tuesday morning after several centimetres fell in some parts over the night.Image source, PA
    Image caption,

    Ice cream anyone? Brett Canham prepares his catering stall on Scarborough seafront after several centimetres of snow fell overnight.

    A snowman stands on the promenade at Crosby on February 27, 2018 in Liverpool,Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    A snowman on the seafront in Crosby, Liverpool, where temperatures are a balmy 1C.

    A woman and child enjoy the snow at Scarborough North Bay beachImage source, PA
    Image caption,

    Thursday marks the official start of spring - but Scarborough North Bay beach in Yorkshire looks very wintry.

  4. #BeastFromTheEast: Survival tipspublished at 13:05 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Some of you are taking drastic measures...

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  5. Pupils' delight at snow daypublished at 13:01 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    BBC Wales News

    These children in Wales have been celebrating a day off school thanks to the snow.

    Some 234 schools have closed in Wales because of the weather.

    You can see for yourself how they took the news.

    Media caption,

    Snow school celebrations for pupils

  6. Titchmarsh tells gardeners to 'enjoy snowy scenes'published at 12:57 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    BBC Breakfast

    Alan Titchmarsh

    Alan Titchmarsh has urged gardeners not to worry about their outdoor spaces during the extreme weather and just enjoy the scenes.

    Appearing on BBC Breakfast, he said: "If you've got evergreens - trees, if you can reach the trees, and shrubs - and snow is settling on evergreens, go out with your camera and take the photograph because it looks pretty.

    "But then knock it off, because when it starts to thaw it gets very, very heavy and that is when branches break and that is when things like cedar branches are brought down, thawing snow."

    He also told gardeners to avoid walking on lawns and planting things while it is frosty.

  7. In pictures: Roads grind to a haltpublished at 12:49 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Roads across the south of England have been heavily hit by the snow.

    People push car in snowImage source, Dan Kitwood/Getty Image
    Image caption,

    Some people have needed a helping hand in the snow

    Lorries stuck on M20Image source, Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
    Image caption,

    The M20 in Kent ground to a halt

    Man in carImage source, Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Traffic was also affected in Rochester

    Cars in snowImage source, PA
    Image caption,

    Drivers like these in Ashford are being urged to take care

  8. New weather warnings issuedpublished at 12:44 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    The Met Office has updated its weather warnings, external to include a forecast of severe snow, ice and wind later in the week.

    • An amber warning for snow and ice has been issued for the south west of England from 14:00 GMT on Thursday to 08:00 GMT on Friday
    • A yellow warning for snow and ice has been issued for the Midlands, Wales, Northern Ireland and southern England from 00:05 GMT on Friday until 12:00 GMT on Saturday
    • The Met Office has also updated its yellow weather warning between 09:00 GMT and 23:55 GMT on Thursday, warning of strong winds
  9. Three killed in Baston car crashpublished at 12:28 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Scene of the crash

    Three people have died in a crash involving a car and lorry in Lincolnshire.

    Earlier we reported there had been a "very serious" crash on the A15 at Baston, with Lincolnshire Police warning drivers to take care in the conditions.

    The force has now confirmed three people died in the crash, external which involved a blue Renault Clio and white Scania lorry at about 06:15. Police are appealing for witnesses.

  10. Met Office: Heat homes to at least 18Cpublished at 12:21 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    The Met Office has said it is "really important people do what they need to do" to stay warm.

    Dr Thomas Waite, of the extreme events team, said: “Heating homes to at least 18C will help keep you healthy. Also make sure you eat warm food, move about at home and wear several thin layers instead of fewer thicker ones.

    “Cold temperatures inside and out can make you ill and can even kill. Prolonged cold weather like this can be a challenge to all of us; remember that staying warm helps keep you healthy.”

    Girl in snowImage source, Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
  11. Tips for looking after pets in the coldpublished at 12:13 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Animal charities the Blue Cross, external and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, external are issuing tips for pet owners to protect their dogs and cats from the big freeze.

    Tips include:

    • Check cat flaps are not blocked from snow
    • Dogs need walks whatever the weather but wrap them up warm, especially if they are a fine-coated breed
    • Keep dogs away from frozen lakes or rivers
    • Be careful using anti-freeze - cats like the taste of this chemical but it can be deadly if ingested
    • Check under the hood of your car as some cats crawl inside to keep warm
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  12. Scotland will see worse weather tomorrowpublished at 12:08 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    BBC News Scotland

    Car in snow

    The worst of the weather in Scotland is expected to be on Wednesday and Thursday, with Police Scotland warning of potential disruption to trunk roads and urging people to only travel if necessary.

    Trains, planes and ferries are also likely to be affected, with a wind chill that could see parts of the UK feeling as cold as minus 15C (5F).

  13. In pictures: More snowy scenespublished at 12:04 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    BBC News

    Parts of the UK have been transformed by a blanket of snow.

    You can see more pictures here.

    Snow in NewcastleImage source, PA
    Image caption,

    The "Beast from the East" struck Newcastle and north east England over night

    Rochester CastleImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Some people, like these beside Rochester Castle in Kent, took the opportunity to go sledging

    There were fears rural communities might be cut offImage source, Sue Pinney
  14. How much more snow could we get?published at 11:59 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    According to the Met Office, up to two centimetres of snow is expected widely throughout today with the potential for five to 10cm in some areas.

    There's already up to 15cm of snow in some parts of the south east.

    By Thursday, the Met Office said 40cm is possible in some places.

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  15. Portugal's Storm Emma adds to fearspublished at 11:55 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    As well as contending with the current cold, the UK may well have another storm to contend with later this week.

    Storm Emma, as it has been named by the Portugese Met Service, is due to move north through Europe and hit the UK on Thursday, the first day of the meteorological spring.

    The Met Office says the storm could be "significantly disruptive" bringing the risks of power cuts and further transport delays.

    A spokesman said: "This brings the potential for a spell of significantly disruptive snow across southern UK, while gales and freezing rain could pose additional major hazards in places, increasing the risk of power cuts."

  16. From above: Stunning aerial shots of Kent in the snowpublished at 11:50 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Kent is among the worst-hit counties for snowfall this morning.

    Here the "Garden of England" is seen from above, covered in white.

    Media caption,

    Snow covers parts of Kent

  17. Lowest temperature recorded at -8.9Cpublished at 11:46 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    The lowest overnight temperature recorded in the UK on Monday night was at Farnborough in Hampshire where it was -8.9C (16F).

    The Met Office's chief forecaster Frank Saunders says parts of the country could see their "coldest spell of weather since at least 2013, and possibly since 1991".

    It is expected that the mercury could plummet to -15C (5F) by midweek where there is snow on the ground, rivalling temperatures forecast for parts of northern Norway and Iceland.

  18. Check on your elderly neighbours, Age UK urgespublished at 11:42 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    The older people's charity Age UK is asking the public to look out for the elderly during this bout of cold weather.

    It suggests inviting an elderly neighbour round for a cup of tea or offering to salt their icy front step.

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  19. Why cancel trains when there is little snow?published at 11:35 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Victoria Fritz
    BBC transport correspondent

    Lots of people are very angry this morning saying there might be just a few flakes out there and they have cancelled all the trains, but it's not necessarily to do with the volume of snow.

    In really cold weather the signal points on the tracks can freeze and if they stick the signals will stay red meaning the trains cannot go anywhere. Also, if there is a rail on the top for power, if that freezes then there will be no power.

    The other day Greater Anglia were saying they were putting socks over the horns at the front of the train because if the horn freezes it won't work and that would mean the train would not be able to go faster than 20mph.

    Network Rail is also using a helicopter fitted with thermal imaging equipment to locate the worst points.

  20. 'Snow days' for more than 230 schools in Walespublished at 11:31 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    BBC Wales News

    A total of 234 schools in Wales have closed due to the snow.

    All of the schools are in the northern counties of Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire and Flintshire.

    In the links below you can see the details for school closures in each area: