UK snow: Live updates as severe weather causes travel chaos across Britain

Flights grounded at airports, drivers stranded and hundreds of schools to shut as parts of Britain covered by up to 32cm of snow

Scenes of December snow from around the UK

Heavy snowfall is causing widespread disruption across swathes of the UK, with roads closed and two airports grounding flights.

Luton and Birmingham airports suspended all flights as they cleared snow from their runways after severe weather hit Britain on Sunday.

Up to 20cm (eight inches) of snow was forecast to fall on some parts of north Wales and central England as temperatures plummet in the wake of Storm Caroline.

The Met Office issued an Amber warning for large parts of the country and warned rural communities could be cut off as roads become hazardous.

A north-bound section of the M1 has been closed in Leicestershire due to numerous vehicles being stranded, with police forces warning motorists not to travel unless "absolutely necessary" as they deal with surging calls.

Persistent heavy snowfall was expected throughout the morning.

Key Points

9am: Flights grounded at London Stansted, Luton and Birmingham airports after heavy snowfall

[10 December 2017 11:42 · Adam Withnall]

Welcome to The Independent's live blog as ice, snow and stormy weather spreads across the UK, resulting in severe warnings from forecasters and travel chaos.

[10 December 2017 11:50 · Lizzie Dearden]

Flights cancelled as heavy snow hits Britain

Heavy snow in Britain and abroad is causing severe problems for tens of thousands of travellers. The worst problems so far are for airline passengers, with dozens of flights cancelled, diverted or heavily delayed. 

[10 December 2017 11:57 · Lizzie Dearden]

This is the scene at Birmingham Airport, where all flights have been suspended as workers clear heavy snowfall from the runway: 

London Stansted Airport's runway is also shut as staff work to clear snow. 

[10 December 2017 12:01 · Lizzie Dearden]

But there's better news for passengers waiting at Luton, which also grounded flights this morning. The Bedfordshire airport's runway has resumed for departures, although it remains closed to arrivals.

[10 December 2017 12:07 · Lizzie Dearden]

The severe weather is also affecting journeys on Britain's roads: 

• The M1 northbound was stopped between junction 16 and junction 17 due to "numerous breakdowns/collisions"

• The A5 in Shropshire was closed into both directions due to "severe weather and road conditions in the area"

• The M40 outside Warwick was closed due to a multiple-vehicle collision between junction 15 and Junction 16. It is expected to reopen once ploughed

• The A417 in Gloucestershire was closed in both directions between the A429 and A436 due to "multiple separate collisions"

• The A458 in Shropshire was closed in both directions between the Welsh border and the A5 near Shrewsbury while police deal with a serious collision

Authorities in some of the worst-hit regions have warned motorists to avoid driving if possible. 

[10 December 2017 12:13 · Lizzie Dearden]

The heaviest snowfall this morning has been in the higher ground of north Wales. Nearly a foot of the white stuff has covered the village of Sennybridge in Powys: 

[10 December 2017 12:35 · Lizzie Dearden]

A Met Office amber severe weather warning for snow is in force across much of Wales and a swathe of England today. The warning means road, rail and air travel delays are likely, as well as stranding of vehicles and public transport cancellations. 

The Met Office said the warning, which covers a central stretch of England extending as far north as Cheshire and as far south as Essex, was likely to be in place until 6pm. 

Many other parts of the England and Scotland are covered by a less severe yellow warning for snow, wind and ice.

[10 December 2017 12:41 · Lizzie Dearden]

Saturday night was the coldest night of the year, with temperatures plummeting as low as -11C, but tonight could be even colder. The Met Office is warning commuters to brace for travel chaos on Monday morning as snow continues to fall. 

Read more in our story.

[10 December 2017 12:49 · Lizzie Dearden]

Snow is even causing travel disruption on the London Underground. Services on the Central line are partly suspended due to power supply problems.

[10 December 2017 13:02 · Lizzie Dearden]

Happily, it's not all about travel disruption. Many people - and their pets - have been out enjoying the first heavy snowfall of the winter.