Snow moves north as forecasters issue ice warning
Snow that has caused travel disruption in southern England is moving north, as forecasters warn of ice on UK roads.
Several centimetres of snow look set to fall in eastern Scotland and north-east England in the next 24 hours.
The RAC said it was a "nightmare weather scenario" and motorists were being "caught out" because of massive regional variations in conditions.
It comes after heavy snow shut schools, closed roads and cancelled trains, including Eurostar services.
The cross-Channel train operator said it had cancelled all services due to bad weather in France and Belgium, and advised passengers not to go to their departure station on Tuesday.
The Met Office has issued yellow warnings, which means be aware, for snow in parts of Scotland, the north-east of England, Yorkshire and Humber and the East Midlands. It is warning of icy conditions on the roads in most parts of the UK.
RAC spokesman Simon Williams said the conditions would worsen as more cars take to the roads and the temperature drops.
Kent and Sussex roads were worst hit by the adverse conditions, with many blocked or closed and with huge tailbacks building up. It comes after hundreds of motorists were stranded overnight in their cars in the two areas.
Drivers have been warned only to travel in Kent if necessary.
Air travel is also being disrupted due to snow in parts of Europe, and Jersey and Guernsey airports are expected to remain shut until Wednesday.
In other developments:
- Heavy snow in north-western Europe is causing severe travel disruption, including the cancellation of hundreds of flights via Frankfurt and Paris
- Train services in southern England are being affected, with Southern, Southeastern and First Capital Connect services reporting delays and cancellations
- Gatwick Airport is warning people to allow extra time for their journeys due to the problems on the roads
- The Cheltenham horse racing festival has gone ahead despite overnight frost, but the first race was delayed by 35 minutes
- Hundreds of schools across East and West Sussex, Kent and the Channel Islands were closed, while schools in Jersey are to close for a third day on Wednesday
- There are drifts up to 6ft (1.8m) deep in the western part of Jersey, while two people were trapped under a tree which fell during blizzards in the island
- It is feared the cold spell will have an impact on the main outdoor crop of Jersey Royal potatoes, which are planted from January onwards
- In Wales, strong winds led to speed restrictions on the M48 Severn Bridge in Monmouthshire
- About 500 passengers on a ferry from Ireland to France spent the night anchored off Cherbourg in north-west France after the vessel failed to dock. They remain onboard after the ferry docked as the ship's doors failed to open.
John Hammond, BBC weather forecaster, said: "The most severe weather - the worst of the bitter cold and the snow across the South East - is over.
"However, it is still very wintry and we are expecting further snow and ice in various parts of the country.
"The main focus for the next 24 hours is eastern Scotland and north-east England. Here, we could see a few centimetres of snow overnight."
He added: "There will be ice around. It's a cold, icy night to come across the UK."
However, severe conditions in the Channel Islands - that have left schools, roads and airports closed for a second day - were "easing", he said.
The RAC said that as of 15:00 GMT, it had dealt with more than 6,000 breakdown - 50% more than usual.
"Particular problem areas are in the south, the east and the mid-western [parts of England], which have escalated as the day progresses," said Mr Williams.
He advised motorists to check weather forecasts and to take the right winter kit on journeys - including warm, waterproof coat, blankets, boots, fully-charged mobile phone and a shovel.
"If the weather looks like it's going to get worse make a sensible decision about how necessary it is you drive in the first place," he said.
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