Now Stansted grounds flights and warns of delays as winter blast continues to batter Britain with temperatures set to be -12C

Snow and ice have caused widespread disruption across the UK this morning
A man said to be living in his car was found dead with a police cordon in place
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Britain has been brought to a standstill by winter weather chaos as flights have been cancelled at London Stansted Airport in another blow for travellers.

The airport has told punters to check their travel plans as the terminal’s flights are delayed or halted by the cold.

It comes as drivers have been told only to travel if necessary as a major incident has been declared in Cumbria amid heavy snowfall.

And forecasters are warning of up to 15cm of snow could fall tonight as temperatures plummet as low as -12C – as major incident has been declared in Cumbria.

In a post on social media, the Essex airport said: ‘Cold weather conditions are impacting some of our airlines, causing some delays or cancellations. As a result, our terminal is busier than usual.

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A farmer with her cattle in the snow in the North York Moors National Park, as scattered weather warnings for snow and ice are in place across the UK as temperatures plunged below freezing overnight

Stansted airport (pictured) has told punters to check their travel plans as the terminal’s flights are delayed or halted by the cold

A person walks through snow above the Hole of Horcum at the North York Moors National Park, as scattered weather warnings for snow and ice are in place across the UK as temperatures plunged below freezing overnight

The county’s emergency services are engaged in a multi-agency response as heavy snow wreaks havoc on their road service – with vehicles stuck in the south of the Lake District

‘If you are due to travel this evening or tomorrow morning, please check with your airline for up-to-date flight information and allow extra time for your journey to the airport.’

In the north of the country, Cumbria’s emergency services are engaged in a multi-agency response as heavy snow wreaks havoc on their road service – with vehicles stuck in the south of the Lake District.

Julie Coldwell, who lives in the lakes, says more than 100 cars have been ditched near Windermere as she posted on social media that ‘It’s awful here’.

It comes as temperatures could drop to minus 12C overnight, as forecasters warned that 10-15cm of snow is possible in some areas on Saturday.

And the Met Office are predicting the UK to be shrouded in freezing fog – with a 251-mile snowstorm that could sweep the nation tomorrow.

The forecaster said Aberdeenshire, Moray and Highland regions of Scotland were likely to see the lowest temperatures on Saturday night, with minus 12C possible in some valleys in these regions.

A train crosses the Viaduct in Ayrshire as central Scotland wakes up to a winter wonderland

Glasgow woke to snow scenes this morning as temperatures plunged below freezing

The Met Office issued an amber alert for snow in the north east

Police in Cumbria have warned the public to stay at home and only travel when necessary – particularly in the South Lakes and Millom areas. Pictured: Heavy snowfall on the M6 in Cumbria

It has issued an amber warning for snow in Cumbria throughout Saturday, saying 10-15cm of snow is possible in some areas before showers begin to ease overnight

It has issued an amber warning for snow in Cumbria throughout Saturday, saying 10-15cm of snow is possible in some areas before showers begin to ease overnight.

What does an Amber Warning mean?

The Met Office has issued an amber warning for snow in Cumbria throughout Saturday. This indicates:

Travel delays on roads are likely, which could mean some vehicles are left stranded along with their passengers

Power cuts are likely and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected

There is a good chance that some rural communities could be cut off

Delays and cancellations to rail and air travel are likely

Credit: The Met Office

The Met Office said frequent snow showers will bring further disruption to transport and infrastructure in the north west of England.

It added there is a ‘good chance that some rural communities could become cut off’ and power cuts were likely, with the potential for other services, such as mobile phone coverage, to be affected.

Met Office chief meteorologist Jason Kelly said: ‘Snow could be heavy at times across Cumbria with the odd rumble of thunder… 10-15cm of snow is possible before showers begin to ease overnight.

‘A low pressure system will bring less cold but more unsettled weather for southern parts of the UK from tonight onwards, although northern areas will continue (to be) cold with wintry showers and sharp overnight frosts.

‘Many areas of England and Wales can then expect spells of rain for the start of next week, which could be heavy at times with a risk of flooding. Some higher hills across parts of North Wales and northern England could see further snow.’

The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice from 6pm on Saturday to 12pm on Sunday covering much of the Midlands, Yorkshire, the north east and north west of England, and North and Central Wales.

The weather service said that while not everywhere will see accumulating snow, some places are likely to see 1-3cm, with 5-10cm possible over some hills and mountains in Wales, the Peak District and South Pennines.

Police in Cumbria have warned the public to stay at home and only travel when necessary – particularly in the South Lakes and Millom areas.

The M6 southbound between J38 and J37 was blocked due to jackknifed lorries and that the A595 between Millom and Furness was impassable.

National Highways said it was also dealing with a large number of stranded vehicles on Saturday evening, particularly on the M6 between J38 and J40.

South Lakes Police have opened an ’emergency refuge space’ for those who are stuck – with accommodation and provisions available as they urge people not to try and get their in their car.

It has issued an amber warning for snow in Cumbria throughout Saturday, saying 10-15cm of snow is possible in some areas before showers begin to ease overnight

Cumbria’s police force warned motorists to take care – as they posted a photo of one of their 4x4s in a snowy scene and said they were helping vehicles who had got stuck

A gritter lorry treats roads, with the Forth Bridge, Scotland, in the background, as snow and ice affect many parts of Scotland

The comedically-named gritters have been out in force as Scottish authorities mobilise the machines in an effort to keep the roads running

And they say the roads will ‘remain challenging’ as low temperatures continue, as the force released a list of 11 roads currently shackled by the weather.

Now residents of Lake District villages are grouping together on local Facebook groups to offer safe haven to families stuck in the snow.

Superintendent Andy Wilkinson of Cumbria Constabulary said: ‘Agencies across Cumbria are working together in response to the impact that heavy snowfall is continuing to have on the county’s roads.

‘We are working at pace, to help clear roads so those currently affected can get moving.

Roads in Cumbria to avoid due to weather as county declares a ‘major incident’

A591 Windermere Road (Plumgarth Roundabout, Kendal) to Wythburn – Severe delays and road is impassable due to snow.
A592 between Newby Bridge and Windermere both ways just passable due to snow.
A593 between Skelwith Bridge and Ambleside – both ways just passable due to snow.
A590 Greenodd to Newby Bridge – both ways just passable long delays, queueing traffic due to snow from. • A595 Kirkby-in-Furness and Grizebeck – just passable and queuing traffic due to snow.
A6 from Kirkby’s Stephen Hill turn off (Shap) to Garth Row (Garth Row) both ways just passable, queueing traffic due to snow.
Harras Road in Whitehaven – queuing traffic between York Terrace and Red Lonning.
B5286 between Clappersgate and Hawkshead – queuing traffic and just passable.
Woodhouse Road in Whitehaven – queuing traffic between the B5345 St Bees Road and Fell View Avenue.
A5092 between Whicham and Greenodd – Queueing traffic and road impassable due to snow both ways.
M6 southbound between J38 (Tebay) and 37 (Kendal) – traffic is now moving following an incident of jack-knifed lorries.

List by South Lakes Police

‘I would urge anybody considering travelling in Cumbria tonight, to only do so if necessary. The cold temperatures forecast will make road conditions even more difficult.’

The forecaster said there will probably be icy patches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths, resulting in ‘some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces’.

It warned that some roads and railways are likely to be affected, with longer journey times by road, bus and train.

The Met Office extended a weather warning for snow and ice in Cumbria, northern Lancashire and the Scottish coast south of Dumfries.

The yellow weather warning is now in place throughout all of Saturday but covers a reduced area.

The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning of ice from midnight until 8am on Sunday for London, the East of England, the West Midlands and parts of South Wales.

The weather service warned that areas of rain or sleet falling on frozen surfaces may lead to icy conditions and some injuries may result from slips and falls.

It added: ‘Rain or sleet is expected to spread from west to east across the area overnight, falling on to frozen surfaces and leading to icy patches, perhaps even where treatment has been applied.’

Forecasters say the latest alert issued will cover most of the Midlands, Yorkshire and north and central Wales.

Weather maps show the possibility of snow starting in Newcastle and ending in Worcester, with roads and railways likely to be affected.

Snow could fall tonight, beginning at 3am – with some parts of the country experiencing 2cm of snow falling every hour.

The Met Office has already issued an amber alert today, warning of the risk of power cuts and more travel chaos after flights and trains were cancelled due to the freezing weather.

It put an amber warning in place for the Cumbria area until midnight, warning some rural communities may be cut off, power cuts are likely along with issues with other services such as mobile phone coverage.

It issued yellow weather warnings for parts of the country this morning as temperatures dropped as low as -10C overnight.

The Met Office has said the parts of the country may see -12C tonight, advising people to brace for the cold conditions.

Weather maps show the possibility of snow starting in Newcastle and ending in Worcester, with roads and railways likely to be affected

Snow could fall tonight, with some parts of the country experiencing 2cm of snow

The Met Office has said the parts of the country may see -12C tonight

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice covering much of the Midlands, Yorkshire and North and Central Wales from 6pm on Saturday to 12pm on Sunday

The cold conditions have caused widespread disruption across the UK today with trains and flights cancelled and events postponed due to the weather.

Parts of Britain experienced snow last night – with heavy snow in Scotland causing Glasgow Airport to suspend all flights which have since resumed.

Flurries of snow also fell in the southeast and southwest of England, with icy rails causing a power failure in Kent.

This led to the Southeastern service between Dover Priory and Ramsgate to be suspended.

The weather meant Manchester United’s flight to Newcastle was cancelled this morning ahead of their 8pm Premier League game, forcing them to travel by coach instead.

Pictured: A dog walker strolls along a frozen lake in Gateshead this morning

Pictured: Snow covered a vineyard in the Kent Downs after temperatures plummeted

A sheep stands in a snow covered field in the Kent Downs today

Pictured: Saltwell Park in Gateshead earlier today

The Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for parts of the country this morning as temperatures dropped as low as -10C overnight. Pictured: Glasgow this morning

The freezing temperatures haven’t stopped some walkers who ventured out this morning

Snow covered the Blackpool coastline this morning as the Met Office issues yellow warnings

Widespread travel disruption is being caused by the ice and snow

As snow showers continue to move in from the Irish Sea today, The Met Office has issued an Amber weather warning.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Jason Kelly, said: ‘Snow could be heavy at times across Cumbria with the odd rumble of thunder. 10-15 cm of snow is possible before showers begin to ease overnight.

Now Stansted grounds flights and warns of delays amid winter blast

Now Stansted grounds flights and warns of delays as winter blast continues to batter Britain with temperatures set to be -12C

What does an Amber Warning mean?

Roads in Cumbria to avoid due to weather as county declares a ‘major incident’

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