Big freeze sparks rail delays and nearly 100 school closures as experts warn clear skies overnight will turn wet roads into icy deathtraps before MORE snow arrives and lows plunge to -4C at weekend

  • Temperatures only reached 2.6C during the day in London after falling to -10.2C in Aberdeenshire overnight
  • Yellow severe weather warning is in place and forecasters are warning of the risk of ice patches on roads
  • Several schools closed because of conditions, and some commuters saw some rail journeys disrupted 
  • It follows a large amount of rain and sleep after snow across Britain, which reached as far south as Kent 
  • ** Do you have any photographs of the snow? Please email them to: pictures@mailonline.co.uk ** 

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Drivers across Britain faced black ice on the roads yesterday as forecasters warned more rain and sleet is on the way after overnight snow reached as far south as Kent, with lows plunging beyond -10C (14F). 

The Met Office has issued another weather warning for ice across most of the country - from 6pm yesterday until 11am today - amid an alert for further snow above 650ft (200m) and told motorists to take extra care. 

Yesterday, 94 schools in Buckinghamshire closed because of the conditions, and commuters in the South East and Merseyside saw some rail journeys disrupted due to the freezing weather during the morning rush-hour. 

Central London saw its coldest day of the year as temperatures peaked at just 2.6C (36.7F) by 2.30pm, while Spadeadam in Cumbria was the coldest place during the day at -2.5C (27.5F) at 2pm. 

The first heavy snowfall of winter caused at least 125 crashes in Scotland in one day, while cars also came off roads in the likes of South Wales and Derbyshire as pedestrians were warned to take care to avoid slipping over on ice.

A man walks his dog through a park yesterday in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, as some areas see their first snow of the year

A man walks his dog through a park yesterday in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, as some areas see their first snow of the year

Snow covers fields below the Study Pike monument yesterday near Todmorden in Calderdale, West Yorkshire

Snow covers fields below the Study Pike monument yesterday near Todmorden in Calderdale, West Yorkshire

A horse in a snowy field yesterday on Divis Mountain, north-west of Belfast in County Antrim, after temperatures dropped again

A horse in a snowy field yesterday on Divis Mountain, north-west of Belfast in County Antrim, after temperatures dropped again

A blanket of snow covers the rooftops of Horwich in Greater Manchester, as seen from Winter Hill yesterday morning

A blanket of snow covers the rooftops of Horwich in Greater Manchester, as seen from Winter Hill yesterday morning

A cyclist braves the cold by riding through a frosty Richmond Park in South West London yesterday morning

A cyclist braves the cold by riding through a frosty Richmond Park in South West London yesterday morning

A dog walker makes her way through the snow with her pets at Clayfield Copse in Berkshire on a cold morning yesterday

A dog walker makes her way through the snow with her pets at Clayfield Copse in Berkshire on a cold morning yesterday

People make their way along the footpath to Pen-y-fan yesterday after heavy snowfall over the Brecon Beacons in South Wales

People make their way along the footpath to Pen-y-fan yesterday after heavy snowfall over the Brecon Beacons in South Wales

Greater Anglia Rail told passengers that trains would run with speed restrictions between London and Cambridge, while some services were likely to be cancelled, delayed by up to 15 minutes or revised.

Merseyrail said ice had prevented electricity from reaching the trains, which meant numerous services between Aintree and Ormskirk, Hooton and Ellesmere Port, and Hooton and Chester were cancelled.

The lowest temperature recorded overnight into yesterday morning was -10.2C (13.7F) in Braemar, Aberdeenshire - just shy of the coldest night of winter so far recorded last Friday at -10.8C (13F) in the same village.  

As motorists took to Twitter yesterday to tell of black ice on the roads as they drove to work, forecasters warned of more snow towards the weekend - bringing further sub-zero temperatures and lows of -4C (25F) in Scotland. 

The Met Office said yesterday morning that Northern Ireland saw some 'significant accumulations' of snow yesterday which later pushed across Wales, central parts of England and towards the South East.

Parts of Britain saw about 1in (2.5cm) fall over the hills, but a dusting also gathered at lower levels in many areas. Forecasters said yesterday would be one of the coldest days of the week, but 'with a lot of sunshine to compensate'. 

A graphic showing temperatures across the UK at 8am yesterday (left) and the extent of ice warnings across the country 

Snow will over many parts of Britain yesterday (left) before more settled conditions on today (centre) and tomorrow (right)

Temperatures will remain low across the country over the next three days, with a maximum of just 9C (48F) expected

This graphic shows how a movement of the Atlantic jet stream has changed the outlook for Britain for the end of this week 

This graphic shows how a movement of the Atlantic jet stream has changed the outlook for Britain for the end of this week 

Some coastal showers will continue overnight while many central and eastern areas are expected to be clear, cold and frosty. It will warm slightly towards the end of the week, but more cold weather is set for the weekend.  

Met Office meteorologist Sophie Yeomans said: 'Most of the country is in the colder and showery air. The snow is mainly on the hills, while for most places the showers are falling as rain and maybe a bit of sleet.

'The weather front that has gone through has left rain on the ground, so as the air temperatures start to drop ground temperatures will be below zero. That's giving the risk of ice across most of the UK.  

'So look out for any areas where the surfaces haven't been treated. On untreated surfaces there's a risk of slips and falls. There's also a risk of some icy surfaces on any untreated roads.' 

The first heavy snowfall of winter caused at least 125 crashes in Scotland on Tuesday, police said. The A82 was closed for more than two hours after an accident involving two HGVs and a third vehicle around Glencoe, Argyll.

On the A83, an accident between Glenbarr and Campbeltown, Argyll, caused delays on Tuesday morning, with white-out conditions at the Rest and Be Thankful. 

As the nation shivered under the Arctic blast, these polar bears at Yorkshire Wildlife Park yesterday were in their element

As the nation shivered under the Arctic blast, these polar bears at Yorkshire Wildlife Park yesterday were in their element

A man walks across snow-covered ground on Wimbledon Common in south west London yesterday morning

A man walks across snow-covered ground on Wimbledon Common in south west London yesterday morning

Heavy snow settled over and around Llwyn-on Reservoir yesterday in Brecon Beacons in South Wales

Heavy snow settled over and around Llwyn-on Reservoir yesterday in Brecon Beacons in South Wales

Members of the Serpentine Swimming Club took an early morning swim in the Serpentine Lido at Hyde Park in London yesterday
A woman feels the cold in Hyde Park yesterday

Members of the Serpentine Swimming Club took an early morning swim in the Serpentine Lido at Hyde Park in London yesterday 

Cross-country skiers take on the pristine snow in Teesdale, County Durham, under the crystal clear skies yesterday

Cross-country skiers take on the pristine snow in Teesdale, County Durham, under the crystal clear skies yesterday

Sheep graze in a snow covered field near Todmorden in the Upper Calder Valley in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, yesterday 

Sheep graze in a snow covered field near Todmorden in the Upper Calder Valley in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, yesterday 

A couple walk through a park in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, yesterday after it received a beautiful covering of snow

A couple walk through a park in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, yesterday after it received a beautiful covering of snow

A dog walker makes her way along the Long Walk near Windsor Castle in Berkshire yesterday following snowfall

A dog walker makes her way along the Long Walk near Windsor Castle in Berkshire yesterday following snowfall

A multi-vehicle collision blocked the A92 between Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy in Fife in the afternoon, while the A720 Edinburgh bypass was closed west-bound at Baberton after a morning rush hour pile-up.

In Motherwell, Lanarkshire, a lorry overturned near the Flemington roundabout, while in Glasgow, a bus slid on to the pavement in Knightswood. No one was injured. 

Rail services were also severely disrupted yesterday after a train lost power at Edinburgh's Haymarket station just before 7am.

The 5.37am Glasgow Hyndland to Edinburgh Waverley service was delayed until around 8am and this slowed down other routes to the capital. A signal failure at Anderston in Glasgow also affected morning services. 

A ScotRail Alliance spokesman said: 'We're sorry to customers who experienced disruption.' At airports, the morning flight from Stornoway to Benbecula was cancelled, with delays to flights into Glasgow and Edinburgh.

In Sutherland, schools in Kinlochbervie and Durness were closed, while a Coastguard helicopter had to be called in to get a patient from Lochinver to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. The woman's condition is unknown. 

Further frosts are expected over the coming nights, while daytimes will also continue to feel very cold. Tomorrow is expected to be mostly dry and sunny. 

Snow blankets either side of the M62 in Rishworth, West Yorkshire, after heavy snowfall overnight and into yesterday morning

Snow blankets either side of the M62 in Rishworth, West Yorkshire, after heavy snowfall overnight and into yesterday morning

The University of Bolton Stadium protrudes through the fog and snow in Horwich, Greater Manchester, yesterday morning

The University of Bolton Stadium protrudes through the fog and snow in Horwich, Greater Manchester, yesterday morning

A man prepares to take a early morning swim at Hyde Park in London yesterday despite the very cold temperatures

A man prepares to take a early morning swim at Hyde Park in London yesterday despite the very cold temperatures

A beautiful scene of snow-covered trees at Clayfield Copse in Berkshire amid sub-zero temperatures yesterday morning

A beautiful scene of snow-covered trees at Clayfield Copse in Berkshire amid sub-zero temperatures yesterday morning

A woman takes a picture of the snow as she walks her dog while riding her bike at Wimbledon Common in London yesterday 

A woman takes a picture of the snow as she walks her dog while riding her bike at Wimbledon Common in London yesterday 

A dog walker's pets look very much at home at a snow-covered Clayfield Copse in Berkshire yesterday morning

A dog walker's pets look very much at home at a snow-covered Clayfield Copse in Berkshire yesterday morning

South Wales police tweeted this photograph of an overturned car on Tuesday, saying: 'Luckily this driver was not injured'

South Wales police tweeted this photograph of an overturned car on Tuesday, saying: 'Luckily this driver was not injured'

But by this evening, forecasters say a warm front is expected to arrive, bringing 'rain spreading erratically eastwards, perhaps preceded by snow'. 

Friday is set to be unsettled, but rain and hill snow is set to clear south-eastwards on Saturday, followed by 'brighter and showery' weather.

'Severe' cold weather alert issued for England

The Met Office and Public Health England have issued a series of cold weathe alerts for the country this week.

London and the South West are under 'Level 1 - winter preparedness and action', the South East and Midlands faces a warning for 'Level 2 - alert and readiness', while the North is under 'Level 3 - severe weather action'. 

Forecasters say there is a 90 per cent chance of severe cold weather, icy conditions and mostly hill snow until 9am on Friday in parts of England.

They say the weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.  

The cold weather warning map shows green for 'Level 1 - winter preparedness and action', yellow for 'Level 2 - alert and readiness', and orange for 'Level 3 - severe weather action'

The cold weather warning map shows green for 'Level 1 - winter preparedness and action', yellow for 'Level 2 - alert and readiness', and orange for 'Level 3 - severe weather action'

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But it is set to remain very cold, some showers being wintry even at low levels, and gale force winds on northern and western coasts.

A Met Office spokesman added: 'The final few days of January are likely to remain rather unsettled with brisk winds, outbreaks of rain and hill snow, as well as some showery interludes in between.

'It will remain cold for most with widespread overnight frosts as well as the risk of ice.

'Snow remains a possibility to lower levels, particularly in the north.' Very cold conditions are expected to continue through mid-February 'with a greater probability of northerly or easterly winds'.

The Met Office's long-range forecast states: 'This will bring an increased risk of snow to all areas and more widespread frost.'

Dr Emer O'Connell of Public Health England said: 'Experience shows us that every winter thousands of people are seriously affected and even die from illnesses linked to the cold. Protecting yourself from the cold may seem like common sense but many people do not manage to keep themselves warm.

'If you know someone at risk, someone over 65, anyone with dementia or a heart and lung condition, or a young child, check up on them and see if there's anything you can do to help.

'All of us should be heating our homes to at least 18C, keeping up to date with weather forecasts and planning our days around them - simple steps can really help protect against the cold.' 

** Do you have any photographs of the snow? Please email them to: pictures@mailonline.co.uk ** 

Passengers walk along a railway line after train breaks down due to ice on the tracks

Passengers had to walk along a railway line after a train broke down due to ice today.

Commuters were left for more than two hours on board the broken down train between Hillside and Ainsdale on Merseyside this morning.

Dramatic footage shows sparks flying and bright flashing lights on board the train, before a loud bang and a screeching.

Around 20 passengers had to walk along the tracks after the train between Hillside and Ainsdale on Merseyside was evacuated today

Around 20 passengers had to walk along the tracks after the train between Hillside and Ainsdale on Merseyside was evacuated today

Will Reed, who was on board the 7am train, said around 20 passengers had to walk along the tracks to safety after the train was evacuated.

The 26-year-old told the Liverpool Echo: 'There was a broken down train in front of it so we were turned around and we were half way back to Ainsdale when the train broke down.

'We were told there was just too much ice on the tracks and the trains couldn't get power.

'We had to sit on the train for a couple of hours and then staff from Network Rail evacuated us and walked us down the tracks about 400 yards to Ainsdale High School.

Commuters were left for more than two hours on board the broken down train between Hillside and Ainsdale on Merseyside this morning

Commuters were left for more than two hours on board the broken down train between Hillside and Ainsdale on Merseyside this morning

'Then we walked back to Ainsdale station where Merseyrail had put on taxis for us. Merseyrail have looked after us and have thanked us all for being understanding.'

A spokesman for Merseyrail said: 'A build-up of ice on the electrified rail prevented power from passing through to the train, which can cause sparks as electricity jumps around the ice.

'This caused some damage to a train near Hillside station this morning and passengers were safely evacuated to allow the train to be repaired.

'Merseyrail apologises for the disruption and would like to assure passengers that every effort was made to restore services and provide rail replacement buses where possible.' 

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'Time to start stockpiling Jaffa Cakes!': Britons poke fun at 'the snow storm of 2019' after overnight dumping of the white stuff across UK

  • Snow swept large parts of the country yesterday sparking a flood of memes
  • Brits posted videos of snowfall as nation braces for the coldest night of winter 
  • * Do you have any photographs of the snow? Email pictures@mailonline.co.uk * 

Snow finally hit Britain on Tuesday - prompting Twitter users to joke about the coming apocalypse.

A light dusting of snow led to hundreds of tongue-in-cheek posts on Twitter about the country grinding to a halt, with some users joking they were stocking up on food.

Snow was first seen in northern Scotland and the Western Isles late last week - but it has crept down through the likes of County Durham and Cumbria towards Birmingham and then London today. 

Snow hit the country on Tuesday - causing Twitter users to joke about the oncoming apocalypse Snow arriving in London after freezing temperatures hit the capital

Snow hit the country on Tuesday - causing Twitter users to joke about the oncoming apocalypse Snow arriving in London after freezing temperatures hit the capital

 

Photographs on Tuesday showed car crashes across the country in the likes of Derbyshire and Scotland - while a video revealed the top layer of the sea had frozen in Whitstable, Kent, due to the sub-zero temperatures. 

But Twitter was quick to ridicule the so called 'arctic conditions' with a series of weather related videos and pictures. 

One user wrote: 'We've had snow here in SW London [shocked emoji] and I haven't managed to stock up with a month's supplies, I'm going to die aren't I?'

Peter Marshall added: 'Snow in London! Must be the end of the world.'

Emma Cox tweeted: 'I noticed snow is trending, which means a few flakes fell in London and public transport has ground to a halt.' 

Temperatures in London and Cardiff are expected to peak at 5C (41F), while Birmingham will see highs of 3C (37F) and 2C (36F) in Edinburgh. 

Londoners took to Twitter to joke about stocking up on food for the coming apocalypse as snow hit the capital

Londoners took to Twitter to joke about stocking up on food for the coming apocalypse as snow hit the capital

A Met Office forecaster said yesterday: 'Today will be one of the coldest days of the week, but with a lot of sunshine to compensate.

'Those concerned about the yellow warnings should allow extra time for journeys and take extra care on untreated roads and pavements. It's patches of ice left over from snow showers that people should look out for.'

Although the weather will warm slightly towards the end of the week, more cold weather is set for the weekend.

The spokeswoman said: 'Gradually some slightly warmer air will push in for the latter part of the week, but we have a band of rain pushing in Saturday which will push much colder air in behind it.

'By Sunday it will be very similar conditions to those we will have tomorrow.'  

Temperatures in London and Cardiff are expected to peak at 5C today, as the top layer of the sea in Whitstable, Kent, froze over 

Temperatures in London and Cardiff are expected to peak at 5C today, as the top layer of the sea in Whitstable, Kent, froze over 

People across the UK also joked about going home early because of the snow

People across the UK also joked about going home early because of the snow

 

A few spots of snow! Dalmatian enjoys his winter walkies as readers share snaps of white-coated cars and streets across Britain

  • Snow first seen in northern Scotland last week, but has since crept down towards Birmingham and London 
  • Wintry scenes have delighted some Brits but others despaired over travel chaos brought by snow and ice
  • MailOnline readers have been sharing their best snaps from Loch Lomond, Buckinghamshire and Derbyshire
  • ** Do you have any photographs of the snow? Please email them to: pictures@mailonline.co.uk ** 

Snowy scenes have been caught on camera across the country as Britain faces wintry weather conditions.

The white stuff was first seen in northern Scotland and the Western Isles late last week - but since then it has crept down through the likes of County Durham and Cumbria towards Birmingham and then London yesterday.

Met Office warnings for ice remain in place today. The wintry scenes have delighted some Brits, while others despaired as it brought travel chaos with cancelled trains and huge traffic jams in some parts of the country.

MailOnline readers have been sharing their snaps of the snow, including one dog frolicking in Loch Lomond in Scotland, and a gritter struggling to cope in Oban. Here, we run through some of the best...

Ian and Kerry Bretherton shared this snap of their pooch Oreo enjoying the snow in Rainford in St Helens, Merseyside

Ian and Kerry Bretherton shared this snap of their pooch Oreo enjoying the snow in Rainford in St Helens, Merseyside

Jane Lowe was greeted by this wintry walk near her home in High Peak, Derbyshire, on Tuesday

Jane Lowe was greeted by this wintry walk near her home in High Peak, Derbyshire, on Tuesday

Geoffrey Betts described the scene on the roads in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, on Tuesday evening as 'complete chaos' 

Geoffrey Betts described the scene on the roads in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, on Tuesday evening as 'complete chaos' 

Buses are driven along the snowy roads in London on Tuesday night as the capital enjoys the snowfall

Buses are driven along the snowy roads in London on Tuesday night as the capital enjoys the snowfall

MailOnline readers have been sharing their best snaps of the wintry scenes across Britain today, with black labrador Breagh Duncan enjoying the snow in Loch Lomond, Scotland, on Tuesday

MailOnline readers have been sharing their best snaps of the wintry scenes across Britain today, with black labrador Breagh Duncan enjoying the snow in Loch Lomond, Scotland, on Tuesday

Temperatures could plummet to a bone-chilling -12C in some parts of Scotland
Cold temperatures didn't stop Breagh frolicking about

Temperatures could plummet to a bone-chilling -12C in some parts of Scotland - but that didn't stop Brodie Duncan's dog Breagh frolicking about

Nicky Baldwin captured this wonderful shot of snow topped branches above the road in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Nicky Baldwin captured this wonderful shot of snow topped branches above the road in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Saqib Karim was greeted by a light dusting of snow outside their front door in High Wycombe, Buckingham, on Tuesday afternoon

Saqib Karim was greeted by a light dusting of snow outside their front door in High Wycombe, Buckingham, on Tuesday afternoon

Natasha Warkcup captured the snow as it covered trees and cars in her street in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Natasha Warkcup captured the snow as it covered trees and cars in her street in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

London-based MailOnline readers shared snowy nighttime snaps from Seven Sisters
Pictured: Watford

London-based MailOnline readers shared snowy nighttime snaps from Seven Sisters (left) and Watford (right)

Estate agent Adam Salem caught this snap outside the window of his home in Shenley, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday

Estate agent Adam Salem caught this snap outside the window of his home in Shenley, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday

Chris Peck's garden in Oxford looked like a winter wonderland thanks to snowfall throughout the day 

Chris Peck's garden in Oxford looked like a winter wonderland thanks to snowfall throughout the day 

Lauren Foster was greeted with a snowy garden in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, on Tuesday during the Great White Out

Lauren Foster was greeted with a snowy garden in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, on Tuesday during the Great White Out

Luke Andrews took this snap of an empty street in Prestwood, Buckinghamshire, as Met Office warnings for ice remain in place across the whole of Britain

Luke Andrews took this snap of an empty street in Prestwood, Buckinghamshire, as Met Office warnings for ice remain in place across the whole of Britain

Traffic was brought to a standstill on the A816 just outside Oban in western Scotland on Tuesday as gritters struggled to cope, as shown in this photo by Kevin McGlynn

Traffic was brought to a standstill on the A816 just outside Oban in western Scotland on Tuesday as gritters struggled to cope, as shown in this photo by Kevin McGlynn

Mr Andrews also took this snap of a snowy park in Prestwood. Temperatures were expected to plummet to a bone-chilling -12C 

Mr Andrews also took this snap of a snowy park in Prestwood. Temperatures were expected to plummet to a bone-chilling -12C 

Alison Sarll caught this snap of a light dusting of snow with fog in the background from a high rise in Kirkby in Knowsley, Merseyside

Alison Sarll caught this snap of a light dusting of snow with fog in the background from a high rise in Kirkby in Knowsley, Merseyside

Snow was pictured covering a trampoline in High Lane, Cheshire, by Karen Ring at around 1.30pm on Tuesday

Snow was pictured covering a trampoline in High Lane, Cheshire, by Karen Ring at around 1.30pm on Tuesday

The wintry scenes have delighted some Brits, while others despaired as it brought travel chaos with cancelled trains and huge traffic jams in some parts of the country. Pictured: traffic in Oban, Scotland, on Tuesday

The wintry scenes have delighted some Brits, while others despaired as it brought travel chaos with cancelled trains and huge traffic jams in some parts of the country. Pictured: traffic in Oban, Scotland, on Tuesday

Rita Heys caught this wintry scene on camera at her home in Rossendale, Lancashire, on Tuesday

Rita Heys caught this wintry scene on camera at her home in Rossendale, Lancashire, on Tuesday

Snow in Whitfield, Kent, on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a weather warning for ice across most of the country

Snow in Whitfield, Kent, on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a weather warning for ice across most of the country

Snow in the Lancashire town of Blackburn on Tuesday morning. Yesterday was expected to be the chilliest day of the week for many areas

Snow in the Lancashire town of Blackburn on Tuesday morning. Yesterday was expected to be the chilliest day of the week for many areas

Snow on cars and the road yesterday morning in Edmonton, North London

Snow on cars and the road yesterday morning in Edmonton, North London

A snowy street in Swansea, South Wales, yesterday morning ahead of sunrise

A snowy street in Swansea, South Wales, yesterday morning ahead of sunrise

** Do you have any photographs of the snow? Please email them to: pictures@mailonline.co.uk ** 

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