• Drivers have been stuck for several hours overnight on the M62 motorway over the Pennines due to blizzard conditions.
• More than 100 schools have been shut for the day in east Lancashire, with other school closures in Oldham and Wirral.
• The A57 Snake Pass between Manchester and Sheffield is closed, as is the A628 Woodhead Pass to the north.
• Flights have been delayed at Liverpool John Lennon Airport due to snow on the runway
• Merseyrail services suspended, while Transpennine Express and Northern have cancelled some services, including those between Manchester and Sheffield.
• An amber warning remains in force until midday, with more heavy snow expected to cause significant disruption.

Image source, PA Media

People who have woken up to their cars buried in snow in Higham, Lancashire, have been getting their shovels out.

The county has seen heavy snowfall with more than100 schools shut in eastern areas.

Drivers are being urged to travel only if it's necessary. Some roads are impassable - particularly in Pendle and Rossendale.

You can check which schools are going to be closed today because of the snow and icy conditionsby clicking here., external

BBC Weather Watchers

The BBC Weather Watchers have been sharing their snaps of the snow this morning.

These two pooches in Middleton, Lancashire don't seem to put off by the snow!

Image source, Sunshine Girl/BBC Weather Watchers

Still some spring in the air, these daffs are surviving the elements.

Image source, Goodwalkerme/BBC Weather Watchers

It's a very wintry scene in Wavertree...

Image source, Saffron Mia/BBC Weather Watchers

... likewise in Saddleworth!

Image source, weatheredpaul/BBC Weather Watchers

You can become a BBC Weather Watcher here

Merseyrail's acting managing director Jane English has just provided us with an update - and it's not good news for anybody needing to travel on the network.

David Saville News editor, BBC Radio Lancashire

I'm near Fence in Pendle, where strong winds have led to snow drifts.

The back lanes and the smaller roads are impassable. There has been a lot of drifting.

That wind has blown the snow up into great drifts.

When I opened my front door there was another door of snow in front of it and I had to kick the snow to get out of the house.

Wirral Council says its school buses have been cancelled - and several schools in the borough have been closed.

It apologised for any inconvenience, but said the safety of the passengers, the driver and the vehicle were of primary concern.

Several schools in the borough, including Weatherhead High, Wirral Grammer School for Girls, Irby Primary and Fender Primary, have been closed.

A woman from Lincoln who agreed to pick up her son after a Manchester Arena concert last night says she is glad they took precautions after spending nine hours on the M62.

Kelly-Marie Prentice collected her son before midnight and was only just about to reach junction 23 in West Yorkshire at 09:00 GMT.

Image source, PA Media

Passengers flying to and from Liverpool John Lennon Airport have faced disruption this morning due to snowfall.

"Heavy snow falls this morning have impacted on flights in and out of the airport. Our teams are continuing to clear the snow so we can be fully operational again soon but please check the status of flights with your airline if travelling today,"it wrote on Twitter., external

Heavy snow is continuing in some parts with an amber warning in force for snow, along with strong winds forecast. But it will gradually ease.

Most will finish the day with sunshine and lighter winds.

Homes in Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester have been affected by power cuts, Electricity North West said.

The energy company urged customers to check their website for advice and the latest updates.

Here's the information we have so far:

CheshireA total of 66 customers in Prestbury are affected, with power due back at an estimated time of 16:00.

Greater ManchesterIn Waterhead, Oldham, 88 homes have been affected with engineers working to resolve the issue by 09:20.

Meanwhile in Harper Green, 24 customers have reported no power. A restoration time is estimated at 14:23.

LancashireA total of 84 homes in Eden, Rossendale, have also reported no power. Services resuming at an estimated time of 11:00.

Nine customers in Ewood in Blackburn with Darwen have power down. Engineers are working to restore the issue by 13:17.

The energy company said 11 homes in Great Mitton in Ribble Valley have no power. The issue is expected to be resolved by 12:00.

Our reporter Dan O'Donoghue is at Liverpool Lime Street where there's bad news for anybody hoping to catch a Merseyrail service this morning. The network remains suspended due to the wintry conditions.

On other services there are delays and cancellations.

Image source, bbc

Kevin Fitzpatrick
BBC Radio Manchester

I’m on the high street in Uppermill, which cuts through the centre of the village.

The main road is wet and slushy. But just at the side there’s big build-ups of snow and the footpaths are pretty thick with snow and are very slippery.

It’s once you get into the side roads that people are having real problems – there have been a number of people getting stuck and have had to skid back and reverse down.

The shops are trying to open as normal with deliveries trying to get through.

At least the snow has stopped in Liverpool city centre - what's the situation like where you are?

We'd love to hear from you - you can get in touch via our Facebook, external,Twitter, externalandInstagram, externalpages as well as by email tonorthwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk

To cope with the challenges of the colder weather, we've compiled a guide troubleshooting your most pressing questions.

Image source, Peter Byrne/PA

• How to de-ice your car: Don't pour boiling hot water on your window screen. Instead, the AA says you should start the engine and remain with the car - ensuring the wipers are off to avoid damage - and then turn on the warm air blower on the windscreen. You should also turn on your rear windscreen heater, plus the air con before removing snow with a soft brush then de-icing your car

• Risks with heating:Firefighters and safety managers from the charity Electrical Safety First say you should use your heater on a flat surface to ensure it won't fall over

• How to keep your baby warm: Use a number of lightweight blankets at night, and layers during the day. Importantly, babies do not need hot rooms at night - a room temperature of between 16-20C (61-68F) is ideal

• How to keep pets warm:Veterinary charity PDSA advises giving dogs and cats extra blankets for their beds over the winter months. Raised beds can keep older dogs away from draughts, while cats may like high-up dens

• How to dry your washing:Use a dehumidifier, which takes water out of the air. This can be done by running the machine for several hours next to clothes hanging on an airer

More extensive advice can be read here.

Heavy snowfall on the runway has impacted flights from Liverpool John Lennon Airport this morning.

Image source, PA Media

Outbound flights have been delayed by at least two hours.

Inbound flights are currently circling above the airport, BBC North West Tonight reported.

The airport urged passenges to check, external with their airline as soon as possible.

"Our teams are continuing to clear the snow so we can be fully operational again soon," the airport tweeted.

The Met Office amber snow alert for England lasts until noon on Friday and includes Liverpool.

Fylde Council says the snow has affected many roads and it could cause delays for bin collections.

So how bad has it been overnight?

Well David Stubbins set off from Wigan at about 23:00 GMT for a journey to Wakefield that he expected to take an hour and 10 minutes.

At 02:10 he was stuck on the M62 near Rochdale and didn’t have much hope of arriving before 04:00

“We’ve just been stationary for pretty much over an hour now. We were creeping along for a while, but then for some reason we just ground to a halt,” he said.

“The gusts [of wind] are just crazy. They’re rocking the van I’m in all over the place.

“Luckily I’ve got some crisps and some water and a lot podcasts, and hopefully that’ll see me through the night.”

Many train services have been cancelled due to the snow and ice.

Image source, Gareth Fuller/PA

Passengers are uged to check theNational Rail website, externalfor the latest updates.

Services between Huddersfield and Stalybridge have been cancelled due to a tree blocking the line.

Meanwhile the severe weather has prevented crews from getting to work at Buxton in Derbyshire, resulting in services being cancelled between Buxton and Hazel Grove in Stockport.

National Rail said trains will still operate between Manchester Piccadilly and Hazel Grove, subject to delays.

Other lines in Lancashire and Merseyside, inlcuding Preston to Colne and Kirkby to Blackburn, are likely to be affected by delays.

Commuters have been warned to expect disruption to their journeys this morning, and to plan their route.

You can find out the forecast and weather warnings for your area by visiting the BBC Weather site

You can check if your train has been delayed or cancelled on the National Rail website, external.

And motorists can also look out for the latest travel updates by visiting the National Highways, externalwebsite

Cars and lorries have been stranded on a section of the M62 near Rochdale and heading to Yorkshire.

Image source, PA wire

There are delays of at least three hours eastbound between junction 20 at Rochdale and junction 24 at Huddersfield.

Image source, PA Wire

And there are delays of at least 90 minutes on the westbound carriageway between junctions 24 and 22.

With severe weather in the region, National Highways has repeatedits advice to only drive if strictly necessary., external