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 13:05 · Lizzie Dearden]

Powerful winds have also been pummeling parts of the UK in the wake of Storm Caroline, as this tweet from the Met Office shows: 

[10 December 2017 13:31 · Lizzie Dearden]

Sports matches postponed over safety fears

Snow has forced the postponement of a number of sporting clashes around the UK.

Among them was Saracens' European Rugby Champions Cup match against Clermont Auvergne. The Barnet club blamed "adverse weather conditions" around their ground, Allianz Park, and tweeted this clip of its snow-covered pitch: 

 In football, four out of five Women's Super League 1 games have been called off, including Arsenal v Liverpool and Chelsea v Manchester City. Arsenal said their match was postponed over safety concerns: 

Sunday's racing at Huntingdon and Kelso has been affected, while Monday's meet at Musselburgh is also off.

[10 December 2017 13:33 · Lizzie Dearden]

Stansted Airport runway reopens

Flights have resumed at London Stansted Airport, where staff had been working to clear snow and ice from the runway. The airport warned delays and cancellations would continue, with flights limited to 12 an hour until 3pm.

Passengers are still waiting for news at Birmingham Airport, where all flights have been grounded:

[10 December 2017 13:45 · Lizzie Dearden]

Great Alne, a village near Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, is looking particularly picturesque in the snow:

[10 December 2017 13:49 · Lizzie Dearden]

Police warning as drivers stranded in heavy snow

Motorists have been stranded because of heavy snowfall on the M40 motorway, the A34 in Oxfordshire and the A5 in Milton Keynes, according to Thames Valley Police.

A force spokesman said that ploughs were working to reach the vehicles. He said: "Following heavy snowfall across the Thames Valley overnight, members of the public are being advised not to travel unless absolutely necessary.

"A number of motorists are currently stranded in their vehicles on the M40 motorway, the A34 in Oxfordshire and on the A5 in Milton Keynes.

"Officers are working closely with partner agencies to arrange for roads to be ploughed to allow those stranded to be reached by emergency services.

"Many more roads are blocked and have been affected by snow."

Chief Inspector Henry Parsons, of the joint operations unit for roads policing, said: "The message to motorists is do not travel today unless it is absolutely unavoidable.

"Do not put your life and the lives of others at risk.

"Many of the roads in the Thames Valley have been blocked and, as temperatures plummet, will become extremely icy and dangerous.

"Keep up to date with the weather forecasts and advice over the next few days and ensure you can safely complete journeys and, when it is safe to drive, ensure you drive in accordance with the road conditions."

[10 December 2017 13:59 · Lizzie Dearden]

Luton Airport fully reopens

Departures and arrivals have resumed at Bedfordshire's Luton Airport, where all flights were suspended due to snow this morning. The airport warned passengers to expect further delays and cancellations. 

[10 December 2017 14:05 · Lizzie Dearden]

Flights resume at Birmingham Airport

Birmingham Airport has now reopened, eight hours after all flights were grounded. Staff have been working to clear snow from the runway.

[10 December 2017 14:31 · Lizzie Dearden]

Britain faces even colder night on Sunday as more snow falls across countryThe UK is experiencing the worst snowfall in years as an even colder night was predicted for Sunday night, with the Met Office warning of chaos for commuters on Monday. 

[10 December 2017 15:12 · Adam Withnall]

The Met Office has issued guidance saying the ice is likely to continue through the night in much of Scotland, Wales and parts of south east England.

It issued a yellow warning, saying "a further 2-5 cm of snow is likely over parts of northern mainland Scotland with 5-10 cm possible over some high ground" while snow is expected over parts of Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire. 

[10 December 2017 15:18 · Adam Withnall]

It is not just rail and air passengers suffering. Coach firm National Express has told customers they can exchange their tickets to travel on a later date as many of their services have been cancelled especially in the Midlands and East Anglia.