Snow falls in Shawlands, Glasgow, as wintry conditions have caused more misery for travellers overnight (Lucinda Cameron/PA Wire)
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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.
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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.
A tiny one that stands more than 1,100 feet above sea level remained open thanks to teachers battling through the elements and a parent with a digger.
Wearhead School did not shut, unlike more than 240 others in County Durham, after the local community rallied round.
A parent dug out the path and yard, two teachers walked to school, one drove and two got the bus.
Headteacher Karen Evans said: "We said to parents if they could and were happy to make it to and from us, that it was safe to do so, and that they wouldn't put themselves or children at risk, that we were open.
"Five children from the village walked, one came by car from St John's Chapel and one from Westgate."
The school's 27 pupils mainly live on local farms, high in scenic Weardale, and has only shut once because of weather in the past 13 years.
The children - aged four to 11 - made snow art, built igloos and snowmen and then had a maths class.
Firefighters have rescued a young boy who tried to run to the middle of a frozen lake and got trapped when the ice broke
The boy's friend dialled 999 after he became stuck on an island of ice in the lake at Laindon near Basildon, Essex on Wednesday afternoon.
Firefighters from the water rescue team used inflatable sledges to wade out and rescue the boy, who was freezing cold but unhurt.
Tony Clark, area manager for Essex Fire Service, said: "The boy today has been extremely lucky that he didn't fall into the water and his friend was sensible enough to call 999.
"I don't even want to think about what we could have been called to if he had fallen in.
"There is just no way you can tell if the ice can take your weight or not - by the time you find out it can't, it's too late.
"We know an iced over lake might look appealing, but just a few minutes in icy water can kill.
"Our warning to people is to not go on icy ponds or lakes in any circumstances, just by taking one step onto the ice you are risking your life - it's simply not worth it."
A man has died after being pulled from a lake as sub-zero temperatures swept across the UK - with further icy blasts and "blizzard-like" conditions yet to come.
The victim, in his 60s, fell into Danson Park in Welling, south east London, on Wednesday afternoon and was rescued by a member of the public, London Fire Brigade said.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the man was later pronounced dead in hospital.
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