UK weather - as it happened: Met Office issues red severe weather warning amid travel disruption as heavy snow hits Britain

Hundreds of schools closed as conditions set to worsen

Snow falls in Shawlands, Glasgow, as wintry conditions have caused more misery for travellers overnight (Lucinda Cameron/PA Wire)

Severe weather caused major travel disruption across the UK and Ireland on Wednesday as the “Beast from the East” tightened its grip.

Road closures, stranded vehicles and cancellations were widespread due to snow and ice.

Services on trains and planes were disrupted, with travellers urged to check with their transport provider before setting off on journeys.

Rail passengers were warned to avoid travelling to or from Scotland for all of Wednesday and into Thursday.

Meanwhile, hundreds of schools across Britain were closed for a second day.

Forecasters predicted the snow and freezing temperatures would not let up any time soon, prompting the Met Office to extend some of its weather warnings.

Rail companies warned delays may continue into Friday.

British Airways said the weather was likely to continue disrupting flights throughout the week.

From Thursday, forecasters predict that another weather system, Storm Emma, will bring blizzards, gales and sleet.

Follow along for live updates

The storm, named by the Portuguese Met Service, was expected to move north through Europe and was due to hit the UK on Thursday and Friday.

Additional reporting by agencies

Key Points

• Met Office issues red severe weather warning for snow
• Hundreds of schools closed
• Heathrow flights cancelled as travel chaos continues

[28 February 2018 15:44 · Samuel Osborne]

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[28 February 2018 15:45 · Samuel Osborne]

First Glasgow has announced it will suspend bus services throughout from 3pm after heavy snow hit the city.

The operator tweeted: "Due to the adverse weather across the Greater Glasgow area, all First Buses will stop over the next hour.

"This decision has been made for the safety of our staff and customers."

[28 February 2018 15:48 · Samuel Osborne]

South Wales Police have issued an appeal for help in finding a 67-year-old man who has been missing for nearly a week. 

Maldwyn Miles was last seen near the Brecon Mountain Railway at Pant at about 2:30pm on Thursday. Police say he travelled to Merthyr Tydfil by bus the previous day.

Inspector Carwyn Evans said: “I am very concerned for Maldwyn’s wellbeing, especially as the weather is so cold and likely to get worse, his family is also very worried for him. If you have any information please call us.”

He was wearing a yellow high vis jacket, beige trousers, navy slip on shoes and is described as being 5ft 7in and of slim build.

Anyone who may have seen him in the Merthyr Tydfil area last week to contact police on 101 quoting occurrence 1800066330

[28 February 2018 15:55 · Samuel Osborne]

Stagecoach has cancelled all of its bus services throughout Fife on Wednesday due to safety fears brought on by heavy snow.

The operator tweeted: "In consultation with Police Scotland and Transport Scotland, all services in the Fife area will be withdrawn for the remainder of the day."

[28 February 2018 15:56 · Samuel Osborne]

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has cancelled non-essential surgery due to safety fears brought on by heavy snow.

The health board also said outpatient appointments will be postponed, however emergency and crucial operations will go ahead as planned.

[28 February 2018 15:57 · Samuel Osborne]

Here's more detail on the travel chaos brought about by Scotland's red alert, by Simon Calder​.

[28 February 2018 16:01 · Samuel Osborne]

It's best to walk like a penguin if you're going outside today, according to the NHS.

[28 February 2018 16:29 · Harriet Agerholm]

The RSPCA's animal cruelty line is receiving three times its usual number of calls due to the snowy conditions. 

[28 February 2018 16:50 · Harriet Agerholm]

[28 February 2018 17:01 · Harriet Agerholm]

Protests against proposed pension measures are carrying on despite the poor conditions

Earlier today, universities minister Sam Gyimah said one university was looking to compensate students for the disruption caused by the ongoing strikes.