UK weather: Heavy snow triggers avalanche on Mount Snowdon amid plunging temperatures

Follow the latest updates as second ice age dawns

UK weather: The latest Met Office forecast

Most of Britain is on alert for ice and snow, with “very significant snowfall” expected this week as temperatures plunge to at least minus 10C in parts of the country, the Met Office has warned.

A weather system forecast to arrive on Thursday could break this winter’s current record low of -10.8C and bring up to 10cm of snow to parts of southern England.

Yellow weather warnings issued for snow and ice cover the majority of the UK on Wednesday – with only a narrow sliver of the country north east of Carlisle not affected.

Journeys on slushy roads are set to take “a lot longer” than usual.

You can follow dedicated travel disruption coverage here.

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Key Points

• UK set to surpass winter low on Thursday night as temperatures fall to -12C
• Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice cover majority of country
• Climber breaks leg in Snowdon avalanche as gritter lorry overturns in Oban

[30 January 2019 08:45 · Joe Sommerlad]

Hello and welcome to The Independent's coverage of the day's freezing winter weather.

[30 January 2019 08:59 · Joe Sommerlad]

After more snow fell on higher ground overnight, temperatures are expected to plunge to at least minus 10 degrees Celsius in parts of the country, the Met Office has warned.

This would surpass the record low for this winter and bring up to 10cm of snow to parts of southern England.

[30 January 2019 09:05 · Joe Sommerlad]

Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice cover the majority of the UK on Wednesday - with only a narrow sliver of the country north east of Carlisle not affected.

Journeys on the roads could take "a lot" longer and should be avoided if possible, says Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill.

The warning in Scotland, Northern Ireland and most of the UK runs until 11am on Wednesday, while the South East, London and East Anglia are covered until 12pm.

Further warnings have been issued for Thursday when a new weather front comes in which could bring in more wintry weather.

"Looking further ahead, it's what happens on Thursday that has the potential to be more disruptive," Mr Burkill said.  

"It does have the potential to bring some very significant snow. We have already got a warning out in force for it. It's currently just a yellow warning, but it's not out of the question that will be ramped up nearer the time. It's looking like it will be a spell of persistent snow."

You can follow dedicated coverage of any developing travel disruption below.

[30 January 2019 09:07 · Joe Sommerlad]

The scene near Stockport this morning, where thick snow is blanketing whole neighbourhoods.

[30 January 2019 09:17 · Joe Sommerlad]

Here's the view from the Met Office.

[30 January 2019 09:24 · Joe Sommerlad]

Perhaps the most dramatic news of the morning is Manchester and Liverpool airports being forced to close runways as a result of the Arctic blast. Stephen Jones's picture below tells a story.

[30 January 2019 09:37 · Joe Sommerlad]

Speaking of Liverpool, while the plows are out in force at John Lennon Airport, here's the Fab Four themselves snowed under in the city centre.

Today actually marks the 50th anniversary of The Beatles playing on the roof of Apple Corps' headquarters on Savile Row in London. Too cold for that now.

[30 January 2019 09:55 · Joe Sommerlad]

Highways England with a warning for drivers in the North West.

[30 January 2019 10:10 · Joe Sommerlad]

Below is a round-up of confirmed school closures in the North West so far this morning as a result of the snow. 

No doubt the pupils are inconsolable.

Liverpool

Abbot's Lea School, Liverpool

Woolton High School, Liverpool

Clifford Holroyde Specialist SEN College, Liverpool

Gilbrook School, Birkenhead

Lathom High School, Skelmersdale

St Bedes High School, Ormskirk

Orrets Meadow, Wirral

Greater Manchester

Falinge Park High School in Rochdale

Bramhall High School in Stockport

Crompton House School in Oldham

Elsewhere, the following institutions are shut for the day.

Devon

Ilsington Church of England Primary

Widecombe-in-the-Moor Primary

Northern Ireland

Killen Primary School

Ballycastle High School

Cross and Passion College

Gaelscoil an Chaistil

St Patrick's and St Brigid's Primary School

[30 January 2019 10:25 · Joe Sommerlad]

A timely reminder to drive carefully from local police in South Wales.

Fortunately no one was hurt when this car flipped on the ice late last night, skidding to a halt on the frozen curb.