Forecast warns of Arctic conditions
Wednesday 1st December 2010, 11:30AM GMT.
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A big shutdown swept Britain today with flights cancelled, schools shut and roads closed as the nation woke to find more heavy snowfalls had added to the accumulations overnight and sub-zero temperatures had tightened their grip.
Up to six inches of snow fell on higher ground while 30mph winds brought a windchill as low as -7C (19F) – and there is no sign of a let-up.
Gatwick Airport was closed until further notice. Edinburgh Airport was also shut and not expected to reopen until at least this afternoon.
Surrey Police, meanwhile, advised motorists to avoid the clockwise section of the M25 between junction six and eight and the anticlockwise section between junctions nine and seven due to congestion which had built up overnight.
To add to the mayhem, a lorry jacknifed on the M20 this morning and brought further delays to the north Kent and Essex section of the M25.
Train services all over the country were also badly affected, with some services not operating and others being badly delayed.
Many schools were closed – including a number in Shropshire and Mid Wales – and expected to remain shut with forecasters warning the onslaught of Arctic weather showed no signs of letting up until Friday.
Severe weather warnings were today in place for the whole of Scotland, with widespread icy roads and heavy snow expected.
Warnings were also in place for northern England, the south coast and parts of Wales.
Met Office forecaster David Price said the snowy conditions would continue throughout tomorrow adding to the existing levels that have accumulated over the past week.
A low of -19.8C was also taken in Altnaharra, in the Highlands, with temperatures not expected to break 0C in Scotland today.
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its only snow wonder how other country’s cope like Iceland or rusher.may be make winter a bank holiday and we can all stay in bed and not have to go to work
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Cold countries cope because they are guaranteed to get this weather for long periods every year, therefore they invest large sums of money in equipment and facilities. In the UK, we don’t have that certainty, so it costs less in the long run to suffer a few days of disruption.
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