UK weather latest: Arctic blast brings snow and heavy rain to Britain

Drivers have been braving the roads as they attempt to navigate icy roads, poor visibility and persistent heavy snow

A Met Office forecast for 6.30pm on Thursday shows just how much rain, sleet and snow is still to come.

A band of rain, sleet and snow is pushing northwards throughout the day, with yellow and amber warnings remaining in place, the Met Office have said.

Buxton in the Peak District is being hit hard by the snow and this man has taken it upon himself to help clear the pavements – as much as he can.

The bad weather has forced dozens of schools across the country to close on Thursday. The vast majority of these – over 72 primary schools alone, as well as several secondary schools – are in Flintshire, Wales. Closures have also been reported in the Peak District, Bradford, Kirklees, Derbyshire and the south Pennines. Up to 25cm of snow is forecast in parts of England and Wales on Thursday as amber weather warnings have been issued for Wales and across the Pennines.

Visit The Express for the full list of school closures.

Nearly two our of five (39%) motorists would still get behind the wheel regardless of the amount of snow on the roads, new research suggests.

The RAC, which commissioned the survey, warned that driving during extreme weather “can carry huge risks”.

Some 29% of respondents in the poll of 2,300 drivers admitted scaring themselves after losing control of their vehicle in snow.

Read the full story from PA Media.

With heavy snow falling across the Peak District, Derbyshire County Council say their gritters are out in force where needed.

Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said that the worst of the snow is still to come as flurries continue to accumulate. He told the PA news agency: “The worst of the snow will be later on today. Through this morning and this afternoon you’re more likely to see accumulations. The snow risk tomorrow is moving much further north, and it will be a bit of a drier day.”

The scene in Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, Peak District, after snow begun to fall this morning. There are amber and yellow warnings in place for the area, with snow expected to carry on falling until late afternoon.

With snow now accumulating on the ground in Worrall in South Yorkshire, one driver attempts to navigate their car across an icy road.

Flood alerts have been issued for parts of Buckinghamshire following rainfall overnight.

The Environment Agency has warned residents in Buckinghamshire of flood risks in the county today (8 February) after rising river levels due to rainfall overnight.

Flood alerts have been issued for the River Thame and Chalgrove Brook in Buckinghamshire, with flooding of low-lying land and roads expected in the Aylesbury area.

Read the full story from the Bucks Free Press.

The RSPB have created a handy graphic to show how you can help out the local wildlife during periods of heavy snow.

The Met Office have several weather warnings in place – yellow and amber – for the country until Friday

Several Bradford schools have shut this morning with heavy snow expected to cause havoc across the district.

Beckfoot Phoenix and Hazelbeck Special School are shut, while Beckfoot Thornton and Beckfoot Upper Heaton are partially closed.

Read the full story from the Bradford Telegraph and Argus.

Snow fell in Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, Peak District, this morning, with more expected across the UK throughout the day – but it wasn't enough to put some people off their morning run.