Warning as heavy snow hits the UK - The Press Association

(UKPA) – 35 minutes ago 

Snow showers have swept the UK as the first widespread big freeze of the winter threatened to cripple much of the country.

With most of the UK on amber alert, the Met Office's second highest severe weather warning, flights were cancelled and a string of sporting fixtures fell victim to the big chill.

It came after Britain shivered through the coldest night of the winter so far with temperatures plunging to minus 12.4C and forecasters predicting up to 15cm of snow.

Flurries fell over Scotland, northern England and the Midlands with dumps predicted to hit London and East Anglia.

Most parts of the country are expected to wake up to a blanket of snow, with 5cm-10cm forecast in many areas.

Up to 15cm of snow is expected to cover parts of Cumbria, Lincolnshire, East Anglia, North Yorkshire, the Peak District and the Midlands.

Some 10cm are forecast to settle at Heathrow Airport where a third of flights will be grounded amid adverse weather conditions and the possibility of freezing fog.

Kevin Andrews, RAC patrol ambassador, said the wintry weather and sub-zero temperatures had left roads "extremely treacherous". He added: "It looks like we're going to get a dangerous cocktail of driving conditions this weekend."

The Met Office's amber alert in England applies to Yorkshire and Humber, the West Midlands, East Midlands, the East, the South West, London, the South East and the North West. A yellow alert, which warns people to "be aware", was in place for parts of Scotland, Wales and south-west England.

Forecaster Paul Mott, of Meteo Group, the weather division of the Press Association, said the deep freeze was likely to continue into next week meaning the snow is likely to settle and much of Britain will remain carpeted in white.

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