Snowbomb blasts Britain

Cars and lorries were held on roads today in chaotic scenes as a blanket of heavy snow sweeps across the country amid -11C temperatures.

Up to 4in (10cm) is expected tonight and forecasters warn icy conditions could bring travel chaos and cut off some villages. There are also fears of power cuts and mobile phone masts being put out of operation.

Dramatic photographs taken this morning showed police officers holding vehicles on the A6 near Shap in Cumbria, while the likes of County Durham and North Yorkshire also experienced whiteout conditions.

A severe weather warning is in place across the country, with the South East expected to be badly affected by widespread snow showers. Forecasters say London will see snow showers – although they are unlikely to settle.

Forecasters say up to 1in (2.5cm) of snow is likely across much of England and Wales, with more on higher ground. Commuters have been warned to take care tomorrow as snow turns to black ice in sub-zero temperatures.

The first of the wintry conditions arrived this morning as rain moving eastwards across the country turns to snow with temperatures falling to -5C (23F). In parts of Scotland, it could drop as low as -11C (12F).

Police had to stop a car in Scotland which was being driven with its windows still covered in snow. Only a small area had been cleared on the front windscreen when it was stopped by detectives at Thurso in Caithness.

Four separate yellow weather warnings have been across the UK. This morning, a band of rain will push from west to east which could fall as rain, sleet or snow, particularly at peaks in Wales and northern England and Scotland.

As the day progresses the wintry weather will move across the Midlands and into the South East. Snow showers could return tomorrow and there is a risk of further snow and ice towards the end of the week.

Some 13 schools in the Highlands were shut. Graham Madge, from the Met Office, said: 'All of England and Wales has the potential to see snow of between 1cm (0.4in) and 3cm (1.2in) in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

'The band of snow will work its way eastwards on Tuesday night and there could be up to 10cm (4in) in higher areas like the Chilterns. Temperatures will drop very dramatically and snow will turn to ice.





MailOnline