Snowstorms to hit UK after coldest night of the year

Snowstorms are due to affect large parts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland on Thursday after the coldest March temperature in more than a decade was recorded overnight. The Met Office has issued three amber warnings for “strong winds bringing blizzard conditions” and up to 16in (40cm) of snow for an area stretching from Stoke-on-Trent to Durham, as well as North Wales and Northern Ireland. “Significant disruption” to transport including flights, power lines and phone network coverage is likely in the regions covered by the warnings.