Flood Fears As Rain Follows Cold Snap

Disruption to airports and traffic networks is continuing as more snow sweeps parts of the UK, but the cold snap could turn into potential flooding later in the week.

Fresh snow is due on Wednesday in parts, with South and east Wales, southern England and the Midlands seeing the worst of the flurries, which will fall on top of snow still frozen after several days of cold weather.

Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang said heavy rain would be coming later in the week, which could cause flooding when combined with the melting snow.

"This weekend should see an end to the cold spell with temperatures slowly lifting as the winds swing around to the west or southwest," she said.

"Some snow is likely as the first in a series of fronts sweeps during Friday, but this should turn to rain during Saturday.

"Further bands of rain and strong winds are set to follow. Heavy rain, plus melting snow, will bring a risk of flooding."

It is not yet known exactly where the flooding could occur, but the parts of the UK affected by the recent heavy snow could be hit.

The severe weather has so far claimed the lives of four people, including postman John Bircham who died while carrying out his rounds during the weekend's freezing temperatures in Somerset.

Temperatures dropped as low as -12.2C (10F) on Monday night in eastern and southern parts of England, according to the Met Office.

Cambridge was the coldest place, reaching -12.2C, followed by Andrewsfield in Essex (-11.1C/12F), Cavendish in Suffolk (-10.6C/12.9F), Rothamstead in Hertfordshire (-10.4C/13.2F) and Marham in Norfolk (-10.3C/13.4F)

The warmest place on Monday was St Mary's in the Isles of Scilly, which reached 4.7C (40.4F).

Yellow weather warnings are in place for ice and snow across parts of South Wales and western England, urging people to "be aware" of the icy conditions.

Amber warnings, meaning people should "be prepared", remain in place for heavy snow across the higher ground of northeast England and eastern Scotland.

Wales, the South West and the West Midlands had faced the brunt of the weather by Tuesday morning.

Several hundred Welsh schools were closed as snow continued to disrupt work and travel across the country.

Icy conditions also forced the temporary closure of the northbound A38(M) Aston Expressway, which links Birmingham city centre with the M6, during Tuesday morning's rush-hour.

More than 100 schools were closed in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Staffordshire.

And dozens of flights were cancelled at Heathrow on Tuesday, the airport said.

The wintry conditions saw Robin Hood Airport near Doncaster closed, along with the runway at East Midlands Airport. Leeds Bradford Airport was also closed for a short period while snow was cleared.

Passengers were advised to check the status of their flights before travelling.

The far southwest of England had been left largely untouched until recently.

Many parts of Cornwall reported snowfall overnight, with the council announcing that several schools had delayed opening times to allow the roads to thaw and giving teachers, staff and pupils safe access to the grounds.

A handful of schools in the exposed Bodmin Moor area of the county decided against opening at all, as reports of ungritted rural roads made it difficult for people to get in.