Britain shivers as wintry conditions return

Britain shivered through snow showers again today as wintry weather returned.

East Anglia and the South East saw the worst of the flurries but bursts of rain and sleet meant most of the flakes failed to settle.

Clare Allen, forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said the snow would continue to be light but there could be some heavy spells.

Temperatures will drop below zero tonight in most places so there is a risk of widespread ice, she added.

Frosty morning are also expected for the next few days as the chilly weather is expected to last into the weekend.

"It's going to stay chilly," said Miss Allen. "It's looking to remain cold throughout the week.

"There will be a scattering of snow showers, mainly over high ground, but it will be largely sunny but still cold."

The Met Office warned there could be heavy snow in London and south-east England on Thursday and Friday, with as much as 15cm on high ground.

A spokeswoman for Kent Police said drivers are being warned to take extra care while the wintry conditions persist and a Highways Agency spokesman said there are warnings for drivers to take care throughout southern and eastern England.

David Sparks, chairman of the Local Government Association transport and regeneration board, said councils would continue to "work tirelessly" to keep roads and people safe and to make sure essential services could still function.

Mr Sparks, a councillor on Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, in the West Midlands, said local authorities would work together to share salt supplies and make sure it was available in the worst affected areas.

"Despite forecasts of a mild winter, many councils stockpiled more salt this year but after the longest cold snap in 30 years, systems are stretched but are holding up," he said.

"With more snow forecast for some parts of the UK, everyone, including central government and the Highways Agency, is going to have to carefully manage the way they use salt.

"Although in some areas, last month's snow and freezing weather went away, councils in many places have had to continue to grit the roads.

"Councils have been working hard to replenish their salt stocks with some authorities importing salt from abroad, but they can only restock as fast as salt suppliers can dig salt out of the ground."