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National
Nicola Slawson (now), Matthew Weaver, Kevin Rawlinson, Michael McGowan and Bonnie Malkin (earlier)

Hundreds of drivers stranded on M80 as icy spell continues – live updates

Hundreds of drivers are still stranded on the snow-hit M80 in Scotland and are facing the prospect are being stuck in their cars overnight.

Fuel and water supplies are being delivered by emergency services and drivers are being warned not to abandoned their vehicles.

Police Scotland released a statement via Twitter to say they are working with partners to try and get the road moving again.

The statement also said if drivers felt their journey was absolutely necessary, they should avoid the M80, which is covered by the red weather warning.

Supt Phil Davison said:

Efforts have been ongoing for some hours to get gritters onto the section of the M80 between junctions four and seven, moving larger vehicles to the side to allow them to spread their salt.

If you are stuck, please don’t abandon your vehicle, this will only make it more difficult to move gritters through and there will be concerns for the welfare of the occupants.

Supplies of water and fuel will be provided where there is an urgent need.

If your journey is in red or amber warning area and cannot be delayed until conditions have improved, avoid the M80 [and] find an alternative route. Other roads across Scotland are also affected.

He added that Traffic Scotland and local radio stations were providing updates.

Scotland’s transport minister Humza Yousaf has said he will be holding talks with a number of employers after people were left stranded in snow while travelling for work.

Motorists have been facing disruption on many routes as extreme weather hit large parts of the country, while those on the M80 have been at a standstill for a number of hours.

People had been told to avoid travelling after the warnings for heavy snow and ice were issued – including the highest level red alert in central parts of Scotland.

Speaking to Reporting Scotland, Yousaf said:

Some employers have been extremely flexible, but clearly some haven’t.

There will be some conversations I’ll be having after this weather event because I have seen HGVs that are carrying home furniture, stationery and piping.

Now, I’m not convinced that that is all necessary and many of the incidents we’ve seen have involved a loss of traction from HGVs.

The south-west of England and Wales will be hit by blizzards on Thursday and Friday, the Met Office has warned.

A storm system – named Storm Emma by the Portuguese met service – will collide with the cold air already over the UK.

Heavy rain from the storm, which is currently over the Bay of Biscay, is expected to turn to snow when it reaches the south coast of England and will combine with strong wind to produce the blizzards.

Craig Snell, a meteorologist for the Met Office, said the storm would push up into the rest of south-west England and then up into Wales. These parts of the UK should expect to see a lot of snow on Friday.

He said:

Those areas should expect 10-20cm of snow with Exmoor, Dartmoor and the higher areas of south Wales such as the Brecon Beacons getting up to 50cm.

The Red Cross has delivered blankets and bedding to hundreds of passengers stranded overnight at Glasgow airport.

It remains unclear when flights will resume and the airport’s operations manager estimated that around 600 needed a place to bed down.

Across the north of Scotland, energy companies have asked the Red Cross to check on vulnerable customers in case of power cuts.

Humza Yousaf, the Scottish Government’s minister for transport, has advised people stuck in traffic jams on the m80 to stay in their vehicles.

He said welfare was being provided to those who are stranded.

Earlier Yousaf said he was looking at the traffic cameras and seeing “far too much traffic” on the roads, and reminded people that travel should be avoided.

Police Scotland superintendent Helen Harrison, who is coordinating the multi-agency response, reiterated the message.

She said:

I would urge everyone to consider if they have to travel in the areas affected by the red and amber warnings. The red warning is the highest that the Met Office issues and is not taken lightly.

It indicates conditions will be treacherous with drifting and lying snow, winds creating blizzard conditions and very low temperatures.

A man has died after being pulled out of a lake in south-east London

A man has died after trying to rescue a dog from a frozen lake in south-east London, according to reports.

The man, who was in his 60s, was taken to hospital after being pulled from the water at Danson Park boating pond, Scotland Yard said.

A spokeswoman for the London Fire Brigade said the man was rescued by a member of the public.

Police, firefighters and the air ambulance all attended the scene. The man was confirmed dead at a south London hospital.

The dog was reportedly rescued by boat before being reunited with its owner.

Updated

A young boy had to be rescued after he got stranded on an island of ice on a lake on Wednesday afternoon.

The boy had run onto the frozen lake near Basildon, Essex before getting stuck when the ice began to break around him.

The boy’s friend dialled 999 and firefighters were able to rescue him using inflatable sledges.

Area manager for Essex Fire Service Tony Clark warned: “There is just no way you can tell if the ice can take your weight or not - by the time you find out it can’t, it’s too late.

“Our warning to people is to not go on icy ponds or lakes in any circumstances, just by taking one step onto the ice you are risking your life - it’s simply not worth it.”

Updated

Highways England has issued an amber “be prepared” alert covering the Midlands and the East, South East and South West of England.

The severe weather warning is in place until Friday morning.

Highways England’s head of road safety Richard Leonard said:

Our gritting teams have been out treating the roads throughout the day and will continue to spreading salt 24 hours a day to keep the roads moving.

Drivers should plan their journeys, monitor weather reports and pack a snow kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel if they really need to travel. You should avoid driving during heavy snow if at all possible.

Hundreds of schools in Wales are set to close until next week

Councils across Wales are urging schools not to open tomorrow or Friday after weather warnings were upgraded to amber .

The Met Office has issued large parts of Wales with its second-most severe weather warning, which is in force from midday on Thursday.

In the warning, the Met Office forecaster said that “long delays and cancellations to public transport is expected, whilst some roads may become blocked by deep snow, stranding vehicles and passengers. Long interruptions to power supplies and other utilities are likely to occur” in places covered by the amber warning.

The councils that have advised schools to close include:

Other councils including Swansea and Carmarthenshire are leaving the decision to individual schools and have urged parents to check school websites for information.

Updated

Southeastern rail has apologised to customers for “significant delays and cancellations” and urged commuters to avoid travelling during peak hours.

The Southeastern spokesman said:

Our priority is to get passengers home this evening, but heavy snow across the South East has led to significant delays and cancellations across the rail network.

We’re advising passengers not to travel if they’re able to avoid it, and to make a plan for leaving work earlier than normal. Wherever possible, please try to avoid the peak hours.

We’ve been working hard to run as many trains as possible today, and the weather conditions have been extremely challenging. This has resulted in cancellations and delays and we apologise to passengers who’ve had trouble getting to where they want to go.

Our staff are doing all they can to keep people moving and have been out since the early hours shovelling snow from platforms and walkways. We’re continuing to focus on getting as much information as we can out to passengers.

This is Nicola Slawson taking over from Kevin Rawlinson.

In Scotland, which is being hardest hit by the “beast from the east”, Edinburgh airport remains open despite “most airlines” having cancelled their operations.

NHS grapples with 'perfect storm' as wintry weather hits the UK

Hospitals are set to come under even greater strain as a result of the extreme weather as the NHS as a whole battles a “perfect storm” of below-zero temperatures, flu and winter vomiting bug, NHS England warned today.

Prof Sir Bruce Keogh, the chair of its National Emergency Pressures Panel, which is helping the NHS manage the extra demands on it this winter, said after its meeting today:

Given the severity and duration of the cold weather, the panel warned that the NHS should be ready for continued pressure as a result of this cold snap, which typically triggers a rise in hospital attendances and admissions.

Hospitals in many parts of England have come under even greater pressure in the last 10 days as temperatures have plummeted and stayed persistently low. One hospital in the Midlands, which asked not to be identified, said that a significant number of the extra patients arriving at its A&E were people with flu, chesty colds and breathing problems. Quite a few of those were older people who, despite feeling unwell, had held off seeking medical care, especially from their GP, and therefore needed to be admitted when they did finally arrive at hospital.

The hospital in question had run completely out of beds and, on one day last week, was unable to admit 160 patients who it believed needed to be on one of its wards. “It’s been very difficult. The numbers turning up have been unprecedented in my 20-odd years in the NHS”, said one official at the hospital.

Keogh, who stepped down after a decade as the NHS’s national medical director in January, said:

The panel wants to thank all NHS colleagues for their continued hard work and dedication in the face of a ‘perfect storm’ of appalling weather, flu and norovirus. With the severe conditions expected to continue we ask patients, their families to bear with us as we seek to minimise any disruption.

The worst flu outbreak since 2009-10 is causing serious problems for hospitals, with 4,000 beds occupied by those struck by the virus. NHS England said in a statement:

This pressure comes as the NHS is already contending with the worst flu outbreak this decade, which peaked at the start of February. We estimate this has meant up to 4,000 hospital beds a week are still being taken up by sufferers. Patients who contract the virus typically stay in hospital two and a half days longer than others.

Norovirus – the winter diarrhoea and vomiting bug – is also restricting the number of beds hospital bosses have available to use for patients admitted as medical emergencies, NHS England said.

The renewed spike in norovirus means that the number of beds closed by diarrhoea and vomiting have been up to 143% higher than the same time last winter. Last week, on average over 950 beds [a day] were closed, up from fewer than 500 for the same week last year.

It added that its unprecedentedly in-depth and detailed “winter plans were having an impact in the face of the most challenging circumstances for several years. [Since January] the NHS has been confronted with persistently high flu hospitalisations, a renewed spike in norovirus and prolonged cold weather which drives up hospital admissions”.

Keogh also highlighted how, despite coming under intense strain since before Christmas, the NHS “saw and treated 92,000 more patients in four hours this January than the same month last year, provided around 1.5 million more flu jabs this winter than last and latest data shows the number of bed days lost to delayed transfers of care has fallen to its lowest for approaching three years. In addition to this, 111 answered 1.33 million, an average of 42,900 per day, and an increase of 4.8% on January 2017”.

More NHS staff who have contact with patients have had the flu jab this winter (67.6%) than last year (63%), which should help reduce the number of doctors, nurses and other personnel going off sick.

The snow has forced the cancellation of the St David’s Day celebrations at the Senedd – the Welsh National Assembly building.

The National Assembly for Wales Commission said arrangements to reschedule some of the tomorrow’s events were being considered and further information would be released through its social media channels.

Stagecoach has cancelled its bus services throughout Fife for the rest of the day.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has cancelled non-essential surgery because of safety fears. The health board also said outpatient appointments would be postponed. However, emergency and crucial operations will go ahead as planned.

Updated

The day’s snowfall has at least four fans: England’s only polar bears, who have been enjoying the sub-zero conditions at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, in Doncaster. Victor, Pixel, Nobby and Nissan have been enjoying the snow that has blanketed their home.

Polar bears Victor (bottom) and Pixel enjoy the snow at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster, in South Yorkshire.
Victor (bottom) and Pixel enjoy the snow at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster, in South Yorkshire. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA

Staff at the park said the snowfall is the deepest anyone in the Doncaster area can remember for years. Carnivore keeper Adam Pfluger said:

They absolutely seem to love it. Nissan and Nobby especially, the two youngsters, they’ve really enjoyed rolling around in the snow.

We’ve been out in the paddocks to hide their food in the snow and stuff like that for them. They’ve had a really good time trying to dig through all the snow trying to find their breakfast.

Victor, our oldest, is a little bit more sensitive to the cold weather. I think he’s had a bit more of a life of luxury before this. I think he prefers the warmer weather. But even he’s been laid out in the snow and has been seen rolling around.

Updated

A pair of suspected thieves were arrested after they left a trail of footprints in the snow, Cheshire police say.

Officers had received a report of a theft from a van at about 11.25pm on Tuesday. The arrested men, both aged 39, were from Manchester and Stockport.

Glasgow airport had temporarily suspended flights while runways were cleared and had hoped to operate some today. Now, it’s announced the suspension of all flights – inbound and outbound – for the rest of the day.

Due to continued severe weather conditions and the large number of flights which airlines have had to cancel, there will be no further flights to or from Glasgow airport for the remainder of the day.

Further heavy snowfall is forecast and we will provide updates regarding tomorrow’s scheduled services later this evening. We would advise passengers not to travel to the airport and anyone with travel plans should contact their airline directly for specific flight information.

Critical incident declared in Lincolnshire

Heavy snowfall in Lincolnshire has prompted the police to declare a critical incident as the A46 Lincoln bypass remains blocked. Lincolnshire police said it was partner agencies to alleviate the traffic issues and respond to those that need help. More than 70 traffic related incidents have now been reported, it said.

Drivers stuck on the A46 are advised to stay in their vehicles while police try to remove a broken down lorry.

Deputy chief constable Craig Naylor said: “We are dealing with a serious situation which is impacting on services for all agencies. The roads are in a very difficult position. The plans we have put in place as a SCG allow us to keep things going but these are reduced services under significant demands.

“If you can avoid calling for an ambulance or avoid calling the police or fire service please do.”

Several councils in Scotland have announced that all schools in their areas will be closed on Thursday. They include:

Scotland’s weather warning has been upgraded to red, which means risk to life, widespread damage, travel and power disruption are likely.
Scotland’s weather warning has been upgraded to red, which means risk to life, widespread damage, travel and power disruption are likely. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The Scottish government is calling on employers to be as flexible as possible, as police urge people to avoid non-essential travel in the areas affected by red and amber warnings for heavy and persistent snow showers.

A further meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room has been held today to ensure preparations are in place to deal with the forecast conditions.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “This is the first red warning that has been issued for snow under the current system which means that conditions in affected areas will be extremely treacherous.

“I would urge people to follow police advice and avoid travel in those areas affected by the red and amber warnings. We recognise it will have an impact on people travelling to and from work over the next 24 hours and so I would encourage employers to be as flexible as possible with their staff.”

Yousaf went on to encourage people to check on elderly neighbours and others who may be particularly vulnerable.

He added: “Winter maintenance fleets are working 24/7 to treat the trunk road network and will be standing ready to assist motorists if required. We have more gritters available this year than ever before.”

Chief Superintendent Stewart Carle, head of Police Scotland’s Road Policing raised concerns about the road network becoming overwhelmed as people leave work early to avoid the snow.

“The warning covers the commuter periods both this evening and tomorrow morning, and so we would ask people to think very carefully about making alternative arrangements for these times and to consider whether they really need to make that journey, particularly on the road network which may become overwhelmed as people leave work early to beat the storm. We’d urge employers to be as flexible as possible in terms of their staff perhaps not being able being able to come to their normal places of work and to consider alternatives.”

“As far as this afternoon is concerned, we’d ask people to think seriously about how they may be getting home either before or during the time of the Red warning as safely as possible.”

Here’s a selection of video of Glasgow before the worst of the weather is forecast.

National Rail is ordering passengers home early in central Scotland where the red warning is due to come into force in less and hour.

Scotrail repeated the message. A spokesman said: “Safety is central to this decision. In areas where the red weather warning applies, customers should head for home now. There will be no train services in the red weather warning area tonight, or first thing tomorrow morning.”

Updated

Readers continue to send in their photos of snowy scenes.

Rotherham based photographer Ryan said the only change today was having to pick the children up early from school: “The snow’s a good excuse to get the sledges out though - and the dogs love it.”

Dogs having fun despite the bad weather in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England
Dogs having fun despite the bad weather in Rotherham. Photograph: Ryan/GuardianWitness

Artist Jackie Ward’s Hard to Find gallery is a bit more hidden today than usual in Brinsley, Nottinghamshire:

Snow covered gallery sign
Jackie’s gallery sign in Brinsley. Photograph: Jackie Ward/GuardianWitness

Teacher Ben Kirk, 41, snapped this image of a horse in Waltham, north-east Lincolnshire:

A horse in snowy Waltham, north-east Lincolnshire
A horse in snowy Waltham, north-east Lincolnshire. Photograph: Ben Kirk/GuardianWitness

You can continue to share your images and video via GuardianWitness using the contribute buttons above.

The Caledonian sleeper rail service from London to Scotland has been cancelled because of the red weather warning.

At least 2,000 schools across England were closed today with yet more snow and ice forecast later in the week, writes Emily Hawkins.

The east of the country saw the most closures. They included:

Hundreds more schools were also closed in Scotland. All schools were shut in East Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Falkirk, Fife Council, Scottish Borders, Stirling Council, and East Renfrewshire Council.

With Schools closed for the day people take to the slopes at Coalhouse, Essex to make the most of the heavy over night Snow.
With Schools closed for the day people take to the slopes at Coalhouse, Essex to make the most of the heavy over night Snow. Photograph: Martin Dalton/REX/Shutterstock

The World Health Organisation has warned that the cold weather sweeping much of Europe poses a heath risk particularly for the homeless, refugees and other vulnerable people.

It urged governments to help protect those most at risk.

“Cold can aggravate existing conditions and raise the risk of increased blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes,” warned Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO regional director for Europe.

She added: “Affected countries should stay alert. Measures must be taken to protect people at risk.”

In a statement the WHO added:

Frequently, poor households are the hardest hit as the poor can least afford to adequately heat their homes. Homeless people, and refugees and migrants can be especially vulnerable. Their risk increases if they lack proper clothing, food and medical care.

Health and social services often face the challenge of caring for an increased number of patients suffering from various cold-related illnesses. Disruptions in services and infrastructure can further indirectly aggravate the health effects.

Glasgow city centre is unusually quiet this lunchtime, 90 minutes before the red extreme weather warning is due to come into force. Suburban streets were rowdier than usual as children with an unexpected day off came out to play, but there is far less traffic on the roads.

The windchill factor remains strong, with gusts whipping up banks of fallen snow. Although traffic had broken up snow on main roads, side streets remained slippery as most people decided to stay indoors.

ScotRail have just started telling staff and customers in affected areas to head home now as they are starting to run the rail service down because of the red weather warning that the Met office posted for 3.00pm today until 10.00am tomorrow.

Members of the public make their way through the snow in Gardner Street Glasgow, Scotland.
Members of the public make their way through the snow in Gardner Street Glasgow, Scotland. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Ireland’s National Emergency Coordination Committee has urged the public red weather warning zones in the south and east of the country, to make sure they are at home by 4pm tomorrow.

Some of the country is already under a red warning alert but the conditions are expected to deteriorate further tomorrow as Storm Emma arrives from the south-west.

Sean Hogan, the national director has warned that the blizzard conditions expected in the south and east of Ireland have not been seen since 1982.

“Our main concern at national level remains Thursday night into Friday,” he said with Storm Emma bringing heavy snowfalls starting at 4pm Thursday afternoon, spreading up from the south

With winds up to 100k, conditions will be hazardous for all travel.

All schools and colleges and centres of further education in the red weather warning zone will be closed Thursday and Friday, the government has announced.

“People should not venture out of doors,” said Hogan during the red weather alert.

Dublin is expected to be in near lockdown.

Here's what we know so far

  • The Met Office has issued a rare red warning urging the public to take action against heavy snow forecast over central Scotland from 3pm on Wednesday. Scots were urged to leave work early and avoid all travel until 10am on Thursday.
  • First minister, Nicola Sturgeon, urged the public to follow the advice of the police and local authorities as up to 40cm of snow is forecast to fall and widespread drifting predicted.
  • Heavy snow across Scotland has already prompted the closure of hundreds of schools and caused major travel disruption on the road and rail network.
  • Amber be prepared warnings are still in place for several other areas of the UK. A new warning for up to 50cm of snow in parts of the west country has ben issued.
  • The remains of Atlantic Storm Emma is forecast to bring further bouts of heavy snow when it hits cold air over Ireland, Wales and western England. A red weather alert is enforce for most of Ireland.
  • Members of the public have referred a record number of rough sleepers to a specialist helpline. More than 3,600 alerts were sent to StreetLink, which connects homeless people to local services, between Monday and Tuesday morning – the highest total for a 24-hour period.
  • More than a thousand schools have been forced to close in England.
  • Several lorries became stuck in snow drifts and jack-knifed on roads, causing delays and closures on main roads including the A1. Officials in Lincolnshire advised residents not to travel at all because of “horrendous” conditions.
  • Heavy snow caused the closure of the West Coast railway line between Carlisle and Glasgow. More train services have been cancelled in East Anglia and the south-east.

A pair of suspected thieves were arrested after police tracked them down by following their footprints in the snow.

Officers in Macclesfield said they arrested two men on Tuesday on suspicion of breaking into vehicles.

Novotel Canary Wharf has issued time lapse footage of London get blanketed in snow.

Scots urged to go home early

Stein Connelly, Traffic Scotland’s operations manager has urged Scots to to leave work early to avoid the worst of the snow this afternoon and this evening. He pointed out that the red extreme weather warning applies from 3pm on Wednesday to 10am on Thursday.

In a video update he said: “Can you leave earlier? Speak to your employer. The message is still the same: avoid travel during this time.”

Officials in Lincolnshire are advising residents not to travel at all because of “horrendous” conditions as snow ploughs and gritters struggle to clear the county’s roads.

Darrell Redford, Lincolnshire county council’s network resilience manager, said:

“The conditions out there at the moment are horrendous - we haven’t faced a challenge like this for quite some time.

“Given the overwhelming amounts of snow that we’re seeing, we’re having to focus solely on our major routes for the moment, as we attempt to get the county moving again.

“That means many other roads will be hazardous and we’d urge you not to travel at all.

“We will get on top off this, but it will take time.”

Lincolnshire police reported seven road collisions and five stuck lorries.

The Met Office has a useful visual summary of what to expect from the severe weather over the next three days.

Met Éireann has expanded a red weather warning for snow and ice to cover most of Ireland. It forecasts up to 25cm of snowfall in some areas and blizzards on Thursday night and Friday.

Scotland’s transport minister, Humza Yousaf, repeated his plea for Scots to only make journeys that are absolutely essential.

Following the red extreme weather warning, Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, urged the public to take care and follow the advice of the police, and local authorities.

The red warning for Scotland warns of significant drifting and 40cm of snow in some areas. The chief forecaster says:

Snow showers already affecting the area will become heavier and more prolonged later on Wednesday afternoon and at times through the evening and overnight period, with 5 cm of snow falling within an hour in some places and lying snow reaching 20-30 cm and possibly 40 cm in a few places by mid morning on Thursday. Strong easterly winds will lead to significant drifting of lying snow.

Red weather warning

The Met Office has issued the first red extreme weather warning in the current spell. It warns of heavy snow in central Scotland for later on Wednesday and Thursday.

It says:

Roads will become blocked by deep snow, with many stranded vehicles and passengers. Long delays and cancellations on bus, rail and air travel are expected. Some communities could become cut off for several days. Long interruptions to power supplies and other services.

Red warnings are issued when extreme weather is expected. They mean the public should take action now to keep themselves safe.

Updated

The Met Office has updated its amber weather warning for heavy snow for Scotland and north east England and ice and snow for much of the west country and Wales.

It warns of 50cm of snow in parts of Dartmoor and Exmoor on Thursday.

Here’s a breakdown

London and South East England, South West England, Wales and West Midlands

Widespread snow is expected to develop through Thursday afternoon and evening, accompanied by strong easterly winds, leading to drifting of lying snow in places. Around 10-20 cm is likely to fall quite widely, with the potential for up to 50 cm over parts of Dartmoor and Exmoor. As less cold air follows from the south, there is a chance of snow turning to freezing rain in places, with widespread icy stretched forming making driving conditions dangerous.

Central Scotland, Tayside & Fife, Grampian, Highlands & Eilean Siar, North East England, North West England, SW Scotland, Lothian Borders, Strathclyde, Yorkshire & Humber

Snow showers will bring variable snow cover, but parts of northeast England and Scotland are expected to see the most frequent snow showers. During this time, 5-10 cm of snow is expected quite widely. Where showers become organised though, most likely across Scotland and over the hills of northern England, some places are likely to have an additional 15-25 cm of snow, locally as much as 40 cm. Strong winds will lead to drifting of snow and severe wind chill, while lightning could be an additional hazard, particularly near coasts. This warning has been updated to extend the area further west over parts of Scotland.

Meanwhile in Cumbria, an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.2 has been recorded by the British Geological Survey.

It was around “about 130 times smaller” than an earthquake in parts of South Wales and south-west England earlier this month.

The epicentre, timed at 7.33am, was Mosser near Cockermouth.

The AA said it has responded to 90 cases of drivers stuck in the snow this morning.

Edmund King its president said: “The worst areas are Kent, East Anglia and North East but the problems are spreading. Drivers need to stick to the major routes where possible.”

An abandoned car on the A1 near Peterborough, as wintry conditions have caused more misery for travellers overnight.
An abandoned car on the A1 near Peterborough, as wintry conditions have caused more misery for travellers overnight. Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA

Traffic Scotland has a gritter tracker for any of those doubting attempts to try to keep the roads clear.

A gritter clears the road after heavy snowfall near Tomintoul in Scotland this morning.
A gritter clears the road after heavy snowfall near Tomintoul in Scotland this morning. Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA

Readers around the UK have been sharing images of the scenes where they are.

Jasper Martens, 39, VP marketing for PensionBee in London was surprised to find the 7.37 train from Brentford to Waterloo empty: “Most seats are taken when I get on but I think the irregularity of the trains this morning put people off.”

Empty 7.37am train from Brentford to Waterloo
The 7.37am train from Brentford to Waterloo. Photograph: Jasper Martens/GuardianWitness

Composer James McBean, 25, sent in this picture from York:

Snow in York
Snow in York. Photograph: James McBean/GuardianWitness

Student Bronwyn Molony, 23, Dublin, liked the “eternal optimism” of the owners of this cafe who put tables and chairs outside for customers.

Table and chairs outside a Dublin cafe in the snow
Table and chairs outside a Dublin cafe. Photograph: Bronwyn Molony/GuardianWitness

In Camberwell, sport PR consultant, Amelia Fisher-Starzynski, 38 and her dog Pancho have been enjoying the fresh snow:

Amelia and her dog Pancho enjoying the snow in Ruskin Park, Camberwell in London
Amelia’s dog Pancho. Photograph: Amelia Fisher-Starzynski/GuardianWitness

You can continue to share your images and video via GuardianWitness using the contribute buttons above.

Updated

The A46 Lincoln bypass is looking pretty beastly.

Police have urged drivers to be patient as snow ploughs try to clear the route.

There is currently severe disruption on the rail network. Problems include: the closure of the west coast main line between Carlisle and Scotland; a broken down train on the Heathrow Express; delays or suspensions to all services to and from Glasgow; more suspensions of services in East Anglia; and disruption between Manchester and south Wales.

The Irish Met office, Met Éireann, has issued a red weather alert for snow and ice covering Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Wicklow and Meath.

A ski centre has been forced to close because of the heavy snow.

Chatham Ski and Snowboard Centre in Gillingham, Kent, shut on Wednesday “due to weather conditions”.

In a post on its Facebook page, it said: “Centre currently closed as we have an inaccessible car park and we have to be able to have emergency vehicle access and staff are struggling to get to site.”

Diplomats in the Norwegian embassy in London and are smugly snug.

The A11 between from Thetford to Norwich is blocked adding to the long list of road closures.

Even a gritter lorry crashed on the A11 according to Heart Anglia News.

Scottish Transport Minister Humza Yousaf has acknowledged that it will be “difficult day” on the roads and railways in Scotland, but he is looking on the bright side.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme, he said: “What we have seen is, which is a positive, is a reduction in the number of people travelling.”

Yousaf said there had been a “number of issues” with HGVs and cars on the road, “particularly on higher ground”.

He added: “People, I hope, are heeding the advice of not only avoiding travel, but also extra time, and planning extra time for their journey where they can.”
With the amber weather warning in place for much of Scotland until 6pm on Thursday, Yousaf told people: “It might look OK as you open your curtains this morning if you are thinking of travelling out, but bear in mind progressively over the day the situation may get worse.”

Glasgow has pretty much ground to a halt this morning as many morning commuters took heed of warnings to work from home after waking up to heavy snowfall.

The snow is continuing to fall now with blustery winds whipping it off high rooftops and onto the street.

There are reports that motorway driving is particularly treacherous this morning around Glasgow, with Police Scotland warning drivers to avoid driving if at all possible.

More the 400 Scottish schools are closed this morning, with bus and rail networks also severely affected and Glasgow airport temporarily suspending operations while runways are cleared. There are currently plans to re-open at 9am.

Members of the public sent a record number of alerts about people sleeping rough on the streets at the start of this freezing week, according to StreetLink.

The service run by the charity Homeless Link, which connects people sleeping rough in England and Wales to local services, said it received more than 3,600 alerts over the 24-hour period starting on Monday morning.

More than 2,000 of the alerts were about people sleeping rough in London.

Matt Harrison, Director of StreetLink, comments: “Sleeping rough is dangerous and bad for people’s health at any time of year, but naturally it becomes an even greater concern in freezing weather conditions like those we are currently experiencing.

“This record number of referrals is inspiring to see, and is the first step people can take to ensure individuals sleeping rough receive the support they need to get into the warm and move away from homelessness for good.”

In case you missed it yesterday the Guardian published a series of photographs by Grey Hutton who has spent the winter photographing rough sleepers with a thermal imaging camera.

Junior Morias of Peterborough United clears snow off the pitch during the match after heavy snow covers the pitch Peterborough United v Walsall
Junior Morias of Peterborough United clears snow off the pitch during the match after heavy snow covers the pitch Peterborough United v Walsall Photograph: Joe Dent/JMP/REX/Shutterstock

Players had to help clear snow off the pitch last night at the Abax Stadium, during a League One football match between Peterborough and Walsall.

Updated

The A1 is also closed in both directions at Adderston in Northumberland after two lorries got stuck in snow, according to Northumbria Police.

More than 60 miles south a jacked knife lorry near Scotch Corner prompted another A1 closure.

Well over a thousand schools are closed across the UK. The latest include:

Updated

Police in Leicestershire have warned drivers that the A1 is closed in both directions between the A1139 and A6121.

Further up the A1 in Gateshead it’s more like a carpark than a road, according to Peter Grogan.

And driving conditions are hazardous even when the traffic is moving.

North Yorkshire county council insists that all the main roads were gritted.

Updated

It may be easier to list the schools that are open in Scotland. Pity the children of Dundee ...

Don’t try this at home ...

Hundreds of schools closed in England

Hundreds of schools are also closed in the England. The latest include:

Stuck inside for a second day running and going a bit mad? Distract and entertain yourself with our wonderful snow quiz.

More school closures in Scotland. All schools and nurseries in Glasgow now added to the more than 400 already announced shut.

Police and fire services across the UK have been kept busy overnight, with reports of stranded vehicles and crashes as several more centimetres of snow fell.

Several roads were also closed during the night and into the morning due to treacherous driving conditions, the Press Association reports.

Some roads in north-east England were left impassable.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service tweeted that officers had been dealing with accidents in the “terrible weather”, including one involving a classic Mini which had crashed perilously close to a cliff.

The A66 in Durham was closed between the A1M and the A685, while in Cambridgeshire, the A1 was shut both ways between the A1M and the A6121.

Cambridgeshire Police said conditions had caused long tailbacks, and a snowplough under police escort was deployed to get traffic moving.

Updated

The London Overground is being affected, expect delays on some lines.

Seems the Irish Sun has decided to forgo the traditional front page weather shot.

The Met Office in Ireland has issued a status red snow ice warning - its highest possible alert level - for Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Wicklow and Meath.

Total snowfall up to midday Thursday may reach up to 25cm, it warns.

According to the Ireland Meteorological Service heavy overnight snowfall has led to accumulations of snow between 5 and 10cm.

“Snow showers will continue to occur during today and again tonight with further accumulations.”

“Status red” warnings are the highest alert level available to Ireland’s weather service, and the Met’s website says the severe weather warnings “should be a comparatively rare event”.

They imply “that recipients take action to protect themselves and/or their properties”.

“This could be by moving their families out of the danger zone temporarily; by staying indoors; or by other specific actions aimed at mitigating the effects of the weather conditions,” the Irish Met says.

Warning updates will be issued in “due course”.

Things are looking complicated for travellers relying on Virgin trains on the east coast.

So there has been some rather heavy snow in Ireland. Here is the view from Kildare:

And Dublin Airport, where delays are happening:

And Dublin ...

The bad weather has affected the tube in London - the Central line is suspended between Epping and Woodford in both directions.

Updated

The weather features heavily on the front pages again today.

The Daily Star goes with “Snowmageddon”, The Express: “Killer freeze to get worse”, the Mirror: “Rage of the beast” and Metro has the simple splash: “The Beast”.

London City airport has said there will be disruption to flights today because of snow overnight. Check with your airline before you travel.

And there are more problems affecting Tfl:

Updated

Your daily reminder to please take care on the roads.

Some good travel news - it is situation normal at Gatwick.

Bounds Green has turned white:

The latest from Tfl:

400 schools closed in Scotland

More than 400 schools across Scotland have been forced to shut as the extreme weather worsens.

East Dunbartonshire Council, City of Edinburgh Council, Falkirk Council, Fife Council, Scottish Borders Council, Stirling Council and East Renfrewshire Council announced all schools in their areas will be closed on Wednesday due to potential of dangerous conditions.

Transport minister Humza Yousaf said amber alerts for snow and freezing winds from the early hours of Wednesday could be changed to red for extreme weather in certain areas, with motorists urged not to travel.

Yousaf told BBC Radio Scotland: “There is a possibility that the amber warning could be in some areas upgraded to a red.

“That is a warning for snow that we have never seen since the modern system has come into place in Scotland, that’s what the Met Office tell me.

“We are right on the cusp, we are at the strongest possible amber warning, and right on the cusp of potentially becoming a red.

“That means a high likelihood of a high impact so that could be not just treacherous but frankly dangerous if you travel.”

The Press Association reports that the entire east coast, central belt and as far west as Greenock will be hit – while the worst affected areas could see up to 40cm of snow and a wind chill of minus 10C.

Police Scotland has urged motorists in affected areas not to travel by road, however other transport services are likely to be impacted.

A red weather warning means a high potential of “widespread damage”, travel and power disruption and risk to life.

Several roads closed

Part of the A1 in Cambridgeshire is shut in both directions, between the A1M junction 17 and the A6121 at Tinwell.

Cambridgeshire Police said traffic was at a standstill on both the north and southbound carriageways between Stamford and Wansford.

A snowplough has been deployed under police escort to help get traffic moving.
Highways England said the A66 had also been closed in Durham, between the A1M and the A685, while the A59 in North Yorkshire was closed westbound after the A61 between Harrogate and Skipton.

Hello to the early risers out there and welcome back to our coverage of the freezing weather system that has been dubbed the ‘beast from the east’.

After blanketing much of the country in snow and delivering below-zero temperatures on Tuesday, the extreme weather continues and is forecast to worsen in some parts of Britain.

Here is the latest:

  • Three weather warnings for snow are in place for Wednesday, with the south-east England, north-east England and Scotland set to be most affected.
  • Heavy snow showers are expected up until around 10am hitting the East, South East and East Midlands, the Met Office said. This will bring up to 15cm of snow, which is likely to cause vehicles to become stranded and cause delays to road, rail and air travel, the Met Office said.
  • Four people died in car crashes amid the heavy snow on Tuesday.
  • An amber weather warning for snow is in place for parts of Scotland and the North East between 6am on Wednesday and 6pm on Thursday, which will bring up to 40cm of snow in some areas.
  • A yellow warning covers most of the rest of England and northern Ireland all day and into the evening.
  • Forecasters warned that long delays on bus, rail and air travel, plus disruption to phone networks, could occur.
  • Strong winds will lead to drifting of snow and severe wind chill, the Met Office said.
  • Highways England said drivers should reduce their speed and pack a snow kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel.
  • From Thursday, forecasters predict that another weather system, Storm Emma, will bring blizzards, gales and sleet.

Here is how things are looking this morning in Waterloo:

Updated

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