BBC Weather Watchers

As Yorkshire has had another covering of snow today, the BBC's Weather Watchers have, as always, been out in force to catch the best scenes on camera.

From birds taking a moment in the snow perched on icy railings in Otley, to a covering of the white stuff in Harrogate...

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Zoe

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/atreya2112

...and from a brave fox out and about in Sheffield during the snowy daylight hours to a smiling snowman in Wortley:

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Jammy

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Johann van der Leigh

Rachael Williams, from East Yorkshire, says delays mean her horses cannot compete in European events.

Five men have been arrested after two "linked" incidents of disorder in Dewsbury during which one man was left with serious injuries.

Image source, Google

The first incident happened in the garden of a house in Navigation Gardens after a group of men arrived there at about 18:15 on Wednesday, police say.

Subsequently, two men were assaulted in a car park in Nursery Street (pictured), with a 20-year-old man suffering serious facial injuries when he was hit with a "blunt weapon", officers add.

Two Dewsbury men aged 22 and 51 have been arrested on suspicion of assault, and three Dewsbury men aged 19, 20 and 40 have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in connection with these incidents, according to West Yorkshire Police.

Det Insp James Bellhouse said: “I want to reassure residents that a number of inquiries are ongoing into these two disorder incidents which we are treating as linked offences.

"I am appealing for witnesses and information regarding both offences and would also like to hear from anyone who may have captured CCTV or mobile phone footage of what took place."

Middlesbrough striker Rumarn Burrell joins League two side Bradford City on loan until the end of the season.

Nile Wilson, who became the first British gymnast to win an Olympic medal on the horizontal bar, announces his retirement from the sport.

Heavy snow, gridlocked roads and high demand for emergency ambulances are having a "severe impact" on operations, Yorkshire Ambulance Service has said.

As a result, people are being asked to only call 999 for an ambulance in a "serious or life-threatening emergency" so crews can focus on the most poorly patients.

Mark Millins, from Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: "Due to the very snowy conditions across West, South and North Yorkshire, driving conditions are very difficult and many roads are gridlocked so this is having a severe impact on our operations.

"We are implementing a number of actions in order to protect our core services for patients and respond to the ongoing demand, including increasing our 4x4 capacity."

Ambulance service staff are "working extremely hard" to reach patients, but hazardous driving conditions and blocked roads mean it's taking longer than normal to reach the worst affected areas, Mr Millins added.

"If someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, they should call 999 immediately. For anyone with less serious illnesses and injuries, our NHS 111 service is available online at 111.nhs.uk, external or by calling 111," he said.

Clubs from Super League to League One agree to delay their season kick-offs while Covid-19 restrictions are in place.

Snowy conditions in Leeds earlier brought several buses to a complete standstill.

Kirkstall Hill proved a road too far for the buses as they tried to tackle the snow and ice.

One bus driver said it had been "one of the worst" snowy days he'd experienced in the city:

BBC Weather Watchers

Snow's been falling today in much of Yorkshire, bringing with it travel disruption and the closure of some schools.

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Bails

In Carlecotes in South Yorkshire (above), BBC Weather Watcher Bails snapped this shot showing snow drifts on the edge of the Peak District.

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/One Man Marvel

In Helmsley, BBC Weather Watcher One Man Marvel had a walk around the town as the snow continued to fall (above).

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Rosie

Rosie's photo (above) caught a moody looking Huddersfield just as dawn broke.

Finally, the snow couldn't dampen this spring image of daffodils in Wass, North Yorkshire:

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/High Lions

Luxmy Gopal
BBC Look North

You can expect to see quite a few scenes of snowy Yorkshire on this evening's BBC Look North as the weather continues to cause issues.

The weather forced hundreds of schools in parts of Yorkshire to close this morning and is still leading to problems on the roads.

A Met Office yellow "be aware" warning, external for snow and ice remains in force in Yorkshire and the Humber region until 21:00.

In the meantime, here's a bird's eye view of what Leeds city centre looks like at the moment:

Huddersfield Town loanee Carel Eiting is facing up to four months out after having knee surgery.

Championship side QPR sign Hull City defender Jordy de Wijs on loan until the end of the season.

A sixth person has been arrested by detectives investigating the fatal shooting of a man in South Yorkshire.

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

Lewis Williams, 20, suffered a shotgun wound to his face and neck in Wath Road, Mexborough, on Monday afternoon.

A 32-year-old man from Doncaster has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody, police say.

Four other people previously arrested on suspicion of murdering Mr Williams – two teenage boys aged 16 and 17 and two men aged 20 and 23 – are also still in custody, officers add.

A 20-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on bail pending further inquiries, according to South Yorkshire Police.

A police cordon which was in place on Wath Road has now been lifted, but others remain in place as the investigation continues.

There will continue to be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days, the force says.

Anyone with information about what happened, or who has dash camera footage of the incident, is being asked to get in touch with police.

People in West Yorkshire are being urged to think again before calling the non-emergency 101 number after a "significant spike" in calls today.

Image source, PA Media

The force has asked callers to consider if they can wait or if the matter can be reported online, external after the volume of calls to the 101 number went up by a third due to the wintry weather conditions.

However, anyone who needs emergency help or who is calling about an ongoing serious incident should still ring 999 immediately, the West Yorkshire force added.

Supt Chris Bowen said: "Between 11:00 and 12:00 today, the force took in excess of 300 101 and 999 calls.

Normally we would take around 200 in this time period. "So we are asking residents to please consider if non-emergency or non-urgent calls they may be considering can be postponed.

"We are doing the best we can to manage demand and any help the public can give us on what is clearly a challenging day for the emergency services is appreciated," he added.

Northampton sign Leeds striker Ryan Edmondson and fellow forward Mickel Miller on loan from Rotherham for the season.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

All Covid-19 vaccination centres in Calderdale which were due to give vaccines today continue to be open despite the heavy snowfall, it's been confirmed.

Image source, Reuters/Paul Childs

However, as snow is expected to continue, people who have a vaccination appointment are being advised to only travel if they feel safe and confident to do so – appointments can be rearranged.

The snowfall has hit one service, however, with operators of the mobile Covid-19 testing unit at Mixenden Activity Centre, in Halifax, closing it due to the weather.

Ahead of the forecast snow, the council and NHS Calderdale Clinical Commissioning Group said they had worked together to ensure routes to all GP practices in Calderdale, including those administering coronavirus jabs, would be accessible.

As vaccines have started at Boots in Halifax from today, council Community Safety Wardens have been based outside the store since 06:00, supporting people going for their jab.

Teams have also been gritting in the area to keep the pavements as safe as possible, according to Calderdale Council.

Leader of Calderdale Council, Labour's Tim Swift, said: "We understand essential journeys still need to be made and we are doing all we can to make these as safe as possible during today’s snowfall.

"It’s great to hear that all vaccination centres in Calderdale remain open, but if anyone feels unsafe or uncertain to travel, please be reassured you can rebook your jab for another day."

A man has died in Mexborough after a fire which started in a shed spread to neighbouring houses.

Image source, SYFR

A number of homes in Chaucer Road had to be evacuated after the blaze broke out at about 19:20 on Wednesday.

South Yorkshire Police said a 62-year-old man died at the scene. There were no further reported injuries.

The force said the fire started in a back garden shed and spread to nearby properties. All residents have now returned to their homes.

The incident had been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to police contact with the man prior to his death, a police spokesperson added.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is under way.

The snow's been falling thick and fast in North Yorkshire, with it set to continue well into the evening.

Rob Appleton sent us this video of conditions near Buckden in the Yorkshire Dales National Park a little earlier:

Up to a dozen rubbish bins have been deliberately set on fire on the night before bin collection day in Doncaster in the past three months, police believe.

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

Officers have now issued images of a man they want to speak to in connection with the arson attacks in Armthorpe between October and January.

The fires took place in Brampton Lane, Oak Wood Drive, Elmwood Crescent and Southfield Road, police say.

A spokesperson for the South Yorkshire force said: "The suspect(s) finds a full waste bin, pulls it to a fence and then sets it alight.

"The offences are taking place between the hours of midnight and 03:00, typically before bin collection day."

Insp Alison Carr said: “Setting fire to bins full of waste deliberately not only causes significant damage, but potentially puts lives at risk as the fire could spread to properties.

“We have been working hard to increase patrols in the area, as well as working with the local authority, to identify those responsible for this reckless, criminal behaviour.”

The suspect is described as white, in his 20s, about 5ft 11ins tall, of slim build, with fair hair.

Police believe the man pictured could hold vital information and are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch.

Bus passengers in South Yorkshire are being asked by operator First Bus to "avoid travelling wherever possible" due to the heavy snowfall.

A yellow "be aware" Met Office warning for snow and ice remains in place for the Yorkshire and Humber region until at least 21:00 tonight: