POLICE have declared a “major incident” and the Met Office has issued a rare amber warning with heavy snow causing travel chaos.
Police officers in Cumbria said the bad weather was wreaking havoc on roads across the county and motorists were being urged to stay at home except in an emergency.
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Drivers battled snow along the A591 between Kendal and Windermere, CumbriaCredit: Guzelian
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A train crosses a viaduct in Stewarton, Ayrshire as parts of Britain wake up to snowCredit: © Jamie Williamson, All rights reserved
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An endurance runner races through the snow on Blackpool’s seafront
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A woman wrapped in a warm coat trudges through a blanket of snow in GlasgowCredit: Alamy
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Weather warnings have been issued across the countryCredit: MET Office
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This morning, temperatures dropped to minus 11C
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Snow in the Scottish Highlands todayCredit: Northpix
Temperatures plunged below freezing on Friday night after Britons saw snow fall in North Yorkshire, Scotland and London.
A severe frost of minus 11C has thrown most of the country into difficult conditions.
Cumbria Police has tonight issued a new warning following dangerous conditions on key roads.
The force has declared a major incident, saying people should only travel where necessary today.
They highlighted the particular risks for those considering travel to the South Lakes and Milloma areas.
Cumbria Constable Andy Wilkinson said: “Agencies across Cumbria are working together in response to the impact the heavy snowfall is continuing to have on the county’s roads.
“We are working at pace to help clear the roads so that those currently affected can move.
“I would urge anyone thinking of traveling to Cumbria tonight to do so only if absolutely necessary – the cold temperatures forecast will make road conditions even more difficult.”
A yellow warning has been put in place for snow which will cover large parts of south and west Cumbria this afternoon and will remain in place until midnight.
A yellow warning is also in effect for much of the county for snow and ice until midnight.
Another yellow weather warning has been issued for tomorrow from midnight to 11 a.m., which will affect most of the county.
Much of the UK woke up to freezing skies again on Saturday as forecasters suggested the cold snap won’t end anytime soon.
There is a high probability that rural communities could be cut off
Met office
Aviemore, in Invernessshire, had the most snowfall overnight with 5cm on the ground as conditions dropped to a shocking minus 11C this morning.
In other parts, temperatures were lower than minus 10C to almost minus 9C.
The Met Office has now issued an amber warning for snow across North West England.
They warned passengers to expect delays while vehicles could be stuck.
Power outages are also very likely, say the meteorological service, which will affect mobile phone coverage.
A spokesman said: “There is a good chance that some rural communities could be cut off.”
Yellow warnings have also been put in place across the country.
The north coast and south west of Scotland will be affected, as will the south west, east coast of England and the West Mids.
The warnings will be in effect until midday Sunday.
Snowy conditions could affect some roads and rail lines, while there is an increased risk of injury on icy surfaces.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said it would be minus 3C or minus 4C in many towns and cities on Saturday.
She said: “There will be snow showers continuing across south-west Scotland on Saturday morning, mostly falling at elevations above one or 200 metres, but there could be some sleet coming down in parts of the Lake District, for example by lunchtime.
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“Elsewhere, although we will see the mist and fog slowly clear, it could remain fairly cloudy for most of the morning in central and eastern areas.
“Elsewhere, though, it’s still very cold, not much above freezing.
“Showers in the south west will push further inland on Saturday night and as they encounter cooler air, they could bring some snow to parts of Wales and central areas such as the Peak District.
“There’s a bit of uncertainty with that, but it’s likely to bring just a bit of snow by Sunday morning.”
The forecaster said the lowest temperature recorded on Friday was minus 9.4C in Shap, Cumbria.
The UK’s Health Safety Agency and the Met Office have issued cold weather warnings for five regions.
Britons in the East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber are being warned to wrap up warm as the bad conditions are forecast to last until next week.
It comes after Glasgow Airport was forced to ground ALL flights this morning due to “heavier than forecast snow”.
Nine football matches in the Scottish Professional Football League have been postponed, while Crewe Alexandra’s FA Cup game against Bristol Rovers has been called off.
Newcastle’s high-profile race was also abandoned.
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A man pushes a car in Windermere, Cumbria where a major incident has been declaredCredit: Guzelian
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Cumbria Police has urged motorists to stay home unless their journey is essential Credit: Guzelian
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The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning covering the affected areasCredit: Guzelian
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Snow covers the roads in the Kent Downs
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A sheep stands in a snow-covered field at Kent Downs Credit: Getty
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Heavy snow falls in Glasgow, Scotland on SaturdayCredit: Alamy
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Cars covered on Friday night in GlasgowCredit: Alamy
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