Snowfall causes more disruption

Hundreds of schools have been shut and airports closed after heavy overnight snowfall across much of England.

More snow fell overnight amid Met Office predictions of the possibility of "exceptionally heavy snowfall" in some areas as the cold snap continues.

Many commuters face a difficult journey into work while hundreds of schools have already been closed for the day.

Gatwick and Bristol airports have been closed while the snow is cleared from the runways.

Gatwick is due to reopen at 0830 GMT while Bristol is expected to remain closed until 1000 GMT.

Easyjet has cancelled more than 70 services from airports including Gatwick, Bristol, Belfast, Newcastle and Luton.

Southampton Airport closed on Tuesday evening because of snow as the weather began to worsen in Hampshire.

In a statement on its website, the airport said staff had been working through the night to clear snow from the runway.

It said the airport would reopen later, weather permitting, but delays are expected.

We are working flat out to keep our roads safe and serviceable for use

Derek Turner, Highways Agency

A total of 34 flights from Gatwick have been scrapped, as well as 15 from Luton.

North Yorkshire Police said a serious accident had closed the A1.

The road was shut southbound between the junctions with the A6136 and the A684, and northbound between junction 49 and the A6136.

The Highways Agency said the A66 in Cumbria was also shut between the A1 and the A685.

Hundreds of schools were shut again due to the bad weather.

Salford City Council said all its schools, children's centres and local authority nurseries were closing.

At least 108 schools in Manchester have also been shut, with Warrington closing all its schools in the borough.

Several dozen schools in Gloucestershire - including Cheltenham, Stroud and Tewkesbury - are also not opening.

Cars stuck in snow on A3M in Horndean (picture from Tracey Pereira)

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In Pictures: Snow hits England

And more than 10 establishments in Surrey are closing their doors.

The Met Office said on Tuesday evening that snow that had been affecting Scotland and northern England was moving south and the heaviest falls over the next 24 hours were expected across parts of central and southern England and south-east Wales.

It said Dorset, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire could be among those worst hit.

Between 15cm (6in) and 30cm (12in) of snow is expected but there could be "in excess of 40cm (16in)", it said.

Derek Turner, from the Highways Agency, said: "We are working flat out to keep our roads safe and serviceable for use.

"However, it is very important to drive appropriately for the conditions, and even when roads are treated and appear ice and snow-free, they should still be negotiated with care."

Warnings of either heavy snow or ice were in place for every county.

The Met Office said unofficial snow depths of 8cm (3.1in) had been reported at Braunton in Devon, 15cm (6in) at Radcliffe in Manchester, and 11cm (4.3in) at Coopers Hill, Brockworth in Gloucestershire.

'Critical incident'

All flights arriving at and departing from London Luton Airport were also suspended on Tuesday evening. The airport reopened at 0445 GMT on Wednesday, according to a message on its website.

Passengers or those meeting people at the airport are advised to contact the relevant airline as flights are subject to delay, diversion or cancellation.

Car in snow in Wetherby, Yorkshire

Heavy snow caused chaos for motorists

In Berkshire, where some of the heaviest snow was due, West Berkshire Council said it had 125 tonnes of salt for the road and more was due to be delivered.

Thames Valley Police warned motorists not to travel unless it was absolutely essential.

In north Devon, police declared the situation as a "critical incident".

In Hampshire, where 30cm (12in) of snow was forecast, the police force opened its adverse weather office and the Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust said it expected to face "severe" pressure on resources.

Steve McManus, the trust's chief operating officer, said: "We are currently under pressure throughout the trust and, as the weather worsens this evening and overnight, we are expecting a very busy period."

Hampshire Constabulary advised people in badly affected areas to prepare an emergency pack in case they are snowed in or have to be evacuated.

The Met Office said the current bout of cold weather had been the most prolonged spell of freezing conditions across the UK since December 1981.

Bitterly cold and wintry weather is forecast to continue for the next couple of weeks with further snowfall expected at times.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk