UK weather: Snow and ice on the roads cause travel chaos nationwide as thousands left without power

Yellow warning issued for snow and ice

UK weather: The latest Met Office forecast

Britain's big freeze will continue this weekend, with heavy snow likely to cause significant travel disruption.

Saturday night could be the coldest night of the winter so far, the Met Office warned, with temperatures likely to fall to -16C in Scotland.

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice remains in place for large parts of the UK.

Here is how we covered the day's events

Key Points

• Met Office predicts coldest night of winter for Saturday
• Yellow weather warnings issued for large parts of UK
• Police work through the night to free drivers stranded in Kent
• Heavy snowfall causes thousands to lose power 

[2 February 2019 11:12 · Zamira Rahim]

Around 1,500 people, mostly in the Basingstoke area, have no power.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said that they had already restored power to 10,000 customers and were working to repair the faults. 

Engineers are struggling to access some of the affected areas due to snowdrifts blocking roads.

[2 February 2019 11:23 · Zamira Rahim]

Heavy snowfall overnight has felled more than 100 trees in Kent.

Drivers in the area should expect disruption on the roads today.

[2 February 2019 11:30 · Zamira Rahim]

The big freeze might be causing chaos but these animals enjoyed their first time playing in the snow.

[2 February 2019 11:40 · Zamira Rahim]

Driving conditions in Hampshire, particularly in Basingstoke, remain poor.

Heavy snowfall has caused road closures, delays and congestion in the area and anyone travelling is advised to check their routes before setting off. 

[2 February 2019 11:50 · Zamira Rahim]

Multiple drivers in Kent abandoned their cars overnight after ending up stuck in the snow.

This one was left on a road in Blue Bell Hill, near Maidstone.

[2 February 2019 12:00 · Zamira Rahim]

Humans aren't the only ones left stranded by the cold snap.

This swan was left struggling after a lake in Liverpool froze over.

[2 February 2019 12:10 · Zamira Rahim]

The Met Office has issued a fresh yellow weather warning for ice, from 4pm on Saturday to 11am on Sunday.

The warning applies mainly to southern parts of the UK, with icy stretches expected to become a hazard, especially on untreated roads and pavements.

[2 February 2019 12:20 · Zamira Rahim]

South Western Railway routes towards Southampton are blocked due to ice on the line.

Commuters should expect disruption until 1pm.

[2 February 2019 12:30 · Zamira Rahim]

Gritters are out in force across the country ahead of tonight, which is likely to be exceptionally cold.

This shot is of a gritter on a frosty Hampshire road.

[2 February 2019 12:40 · Zamira Rahim]

Stagecoach South says that it may suspend bus services around Basingstoke as road conditions in the area "remain treacherous".