Thứ Ba, 12 tháng 3, 2013

Snow moves north amid ice warning

Lorries queue for the Channel Tunnel on the M20 near Folkestone in Kent Roads in Kent and Sussex roads were worst hit by the adverse conditions

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 ice conditions on the roads in most parts of the UK.

RAC spokesman Simon Williams said conditions on the roads 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.

Air travel is also being disrupted due to snow in parts of Europe, and Jersey and Guernsey airports remain closed.

In other developments:

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.

Snow has affected much of the county leading to the closure of dozens of schools and several roads

"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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UK forecast for 12/03/2013

Map Key

  • land colour Land
  • cloud colour Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea colour Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Fog Colour Range

Light

Heavy

Frost

Frost Colour Range

Light

Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Front Illustration
Cold

Warm Front Illustration
Warm

Occluded Front Illustration
Occluded

Rain

Rain Colour Range

Light

Heavy

Extreme

Snow

Snow Colour Range

Light

Heavy

Temperature tab only

Temperature (°C)

Temperature range chart

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