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Snow spreads across UK, closing roads and grounding flights

The worst snowstorms in Britain for four years closed roads, left whole towns without power and grounded flights.

The Army was placed on standby and the police urged motorists not to travel unless their journeys were absolutely necessary. 

Persistent heavy snowfall hit the Midlands, the home counties and Wales throughout the morning, leading the Met Office to issue an amber weather warning. 

Up to four inches of snow was expected to fall across much of England while forecasters warned that double could be seen in higher areas in Scotland and the Peak District.  

Heavy snowfall sweeps across UK, in pictures
Heavy snowfall sweeps across UK, in pictures

Flights were suspended at Birmingham and Luton airports while the runway was cleared, leaving passengers facing lengthy delays. Flights into Heathrow were diverted to Newcastle, 300 miles away.

Meanwhile, sections of the M1 , M40, A417 and A458 were closed following multiple pile-ups. Trains were cancelled across the country because of points failures and bus routes cancelled completely in the worst affected areas. 

The Met Office issued an Amber Alert accompanied by a yellow warning for wind in parts of eastern England, London and the South East, the South West and Wales that could bring "short-term loss of power and other services" as well as transport disruption.

The entire town of Bicester in Oxfordshire lost power overnight as heavy snow brought down electricity cables. The popular outlet shopping centre Bicester Village was also left without electricity, and was forced to close early today at midday. 

Met Office forecaster Steven Keate said: "The worst of the snow is currently across parts of Wales and the west and southern Midlands, while there is some snow falling over the home counties as well.

"Steady snow is expected as this weather system moves over the next few hours into the afternoon roughly from mid-Wales to the north of London

"Herefordshire, Shropshire and Powys have seen a few centimetres in a couple of hours."

"There's going to a split from the M4 corridor south, where it will mostly be rain, although the winds are really picking up there as well with gusts up to 60mph in some places in the south.

"North of the Humber should get away with it today, although there may be showers in the far north of Scotland.

Snow UK Travel disruption Birmingham Airport - Credit: Tony Burgess 
Snow settles on the runway at Birmingham airport Credit: Tony Burgess

An NHS trust in the West Midlands was forced to appeal for help online after the snow left hospitals with nurse shortages.

Highways England | Road Closures
Highways England | Road Closures

Heart of England trust, which represents hospitals in Birmingham and Solihull, asked on Twitter: "Do you have a 4x4 and can volunteer to help our nurses get into our hospitals at good hope 424 7564 or heartlands 424 0483 pls give us a call. Thanks"

Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield serves northern Birmingham, while Heartlands hospital is based in Bordesley Green, in the east of the city.

The trust earlier said online: "Trained nurses needed at goodhope hospital due to heavy snow. If can get in pls call site office 424 7564."

Significant build-ups have been also reported in Leicestershire, Worcestershire and Bedfordshire, while snow has been falling heavily in Birmingham city centre.

Flights have been suspended at Birmingham Airport while the runway is cleared, leaving passengers facing delays, while a north-bound section of the M1 has been closed in Leicestershire due to numerous vehicles being stranded.

Snow UK travel disruption Birmingham Airport - Credit: Imran Mogra
Snow at Birmingham Airport Credit: Imran Mogra

Police forces in Wales and across the Midlands have urged motorists not to travel unless "absolutely necessary" as they deal with surging calls.

Snow uk travel disruption - Credit: John Giles /PA
Cyclists battle through snow falling near Castleton in the Peak District Credit: John Giles /PA

Persistent heavy snowfall is expected in the region throughout the morning, leading the Met Office to issue an amber weather warning that will be in place until 6pm.

Up to 10cm is expected to build up quite widely, with 15-20cm in some spots, raising the prospect of roads becoming impassable.

At a glance | Met Office weather warnings
At a glance | Met Office weather warnings

The amber alert is accompanied by a yellow warning of wind for parts of eastern England, London and the South East, the South West and Wales that could bring "short-term loss of power and other services" as well as transport disruption.

London and the rest of southern England and Wales will instead be lashed by strong winds and rain, where gusts could reach 70mph, according to the Met Office.

Snow weather postman UK travel disruption - Credit: Anthony Devlin /PA
A postman wearing a pair of shorts delivers mail in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester Credit: Anthony Devlin /PA

Temperatures were due to sink to minus double-digits in areas of Scotland overnight, while few places outside of southern England are expected to get above 0C.

Accumulations of 10cm (4in) of snow were expected widely in the warning areas, while 15-20cm (6in-8in) is possible in worst-hit areas.

Weather for Sunday 10 December
Weather for Sunday 10 December

Highways England issued advice for drivers travelling through the north west and north east of England and the Midlands to check the forecast and road conditions before they travel.

It said motorists should prepare for "any eventuality" by carrying "warm clothing, food, drink, required medication, boots, shovel and a torch".

Some 18,000 homes were reconnected after losing power as a result of stormy weather on Friday, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said.