Snow: Travel Chaos Fears In Freezing Weather

Heavy snow has been falling in the UK this morning, with many commuters delayed by road and rail disruption - and more is on the way.

South Wales has had to bear the brunt of the wintry weather, with a rare "red warning" in place from the Met Office there and up to 30cm of snow expected.

More than 1,200 Welsh schools have closed and 10,000 people are without electricity.

Major commuter belt areas of southern England have escaped the worst - but with snow continuing to spread, people elsewhere in the country now face the prospect of difficult journeys home.

The West Country, eastern England, the North East and Scotland have also been hit hard this morning and the closure of a section of the M4 at Bridgend caused rush hour headaches for many.

Some have been making the most of the weather

Merthyr Tydfil was among the worst hit areas, with reports of panic-buying causing some local shops running out of stock.

Cardiff International Airport was closed this morning and the A4232 leading into the city was jam-packed with commuters who braved the conditions.

Temperatures are expected to remain below zero in most parts on Friday, while blizzards and strong winds are set to make conditions treacherous on the roads.

Some train companies have cancelled services or altered timetables to help them cope with problems caused by the weather.

Panic-buying has been reported at supermarkets in Derbyshire and Wales

Eurostar axed four services between London and Brussels. Train companies are advising passengers to check with operators before travelling.

Fleets of gritters have been out in force around the country and many schools have also been closed as a precaution.

Sky's David Crabtree said pupils at well over 100 schools were told to stay at home across the West Midlands as the region braces for a 14-hour deluge of snow.

But Midlands motorways were running well, Crabtree reports: "It suggests many people have heeded warnings and stayed at home."

Few parts of the UK will escape the wintry weather, which is expected to continue into the weekend.

The Met Office has a red alert in South Wales - amber and yellow elsewhere

Sky News weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said between 20-30cm of snow could fall in South Wales, with blizzards and snow drifts in higher areas.

She said: "There will be heavy snow across Wales for most of the day.

"Southwest England can also expect snow, and it will continue spreading east into the Midlands, northwest England, central and southern England by this afternoon."

Amber alerts are in place for parts of the Midlands, London and the South, the east of England, the North West and Northern Ireland.

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Snow will later reach Scotland, northeast England, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and East Anglia, she said.

A red panda braves the icy cold at Bristol Zoo

There is up to 10cm of snow likely in northern and eastern England as well as Ireland and southern and eastern Scotland on Saturday. Snow elsewhere will be lighter but it will be bitterly cold.

Sunday could also bring persistent but light snow to southeast England and some flurries for Scotland.

The Highways Agency has placed a 500-strong fleet of salt-spreaders, ploughs and snow-blowers on standby.

Darron Burness, from the AA, said commuting in the wintry conditions was "likely to test man and machine".

Those who decide to travel have been urged to travel prepared with a fully charged mobile phone, warm waterproof clothes, boots and a blanket, some food and drink, and have a torch, ice scraper, de-icer and a shovel.

There have also been reports of panic-buying at shops in Derbyshire.

At a supermarket in Ripley every loaf of bread and all the bananas had been bought up. One customer reportedly went home with 20 loaves.

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