The brutal winter blast claimed its first victims when four people died in crashes during severe weather. Fresh warnings were issued for drivers to take extra care on the treacherously icy roads through the coming days and avoid non-essential journeys. Experts predict this winter’s long big freeze could cause the highest death toll for 20 years. A car crash in Lincolnshire yesterday caused the deaths of three people. A fourth person died after a three-car collision near Peterborough, in Cambridgeshire.

PA•EPA•NET WEATHER Storm Emma is expected to bring more chaos throughout the week

Gale-force winds and super-cooled freezing rain could turn parts of the UK into an ice rink by the weekend Sara Thornton, director of digital weather service weathertrending

There were 20 collisions within three hours on Lincolnshire’s roads yesterday including one involving a school bus with 45 pupils on board, police said. The children were unharmed after the bus collided with a car and veered off an icy road near Deeping St James. Heavy snow affected railway services leading to delays and cancellations while British Airways cancelled dozens of flights. Southeastern cancelled train journeys to London St Pancras, London Victoria and Cannon Street, with Southern, Greater Anglia and Great Northern services all disrupted. Forecasters warned Storm Emma, due to hit on Thursday night, will bring misery to “millions more of us”. It will sweep a huge volume of moisture in from the Atlantic bringing the “worst freezing event for years”.

PA Snow looms over London as Beast From The East roars in

GETTY The snowy chaos has so far claimed the lives of four people

Sara Thornton, director of digital weather service weathertrending, said: “The Beast from the East will tighten its grip as the week goes on. “Gale-force winds and super-cooled freezing rain could turn parts of the UK into an ice rink by the weekend. “So far the north and east of the country have borne the brunt of the snow, but now the arrival of Storm Emma will bring the white stuff to millions more of us on Friday. “Gales will come with the snow, bringing blizzard conditions to some southern and western parts of the UK that have so far been spared the snow. “Some places could receive a foot of powdery snow, which could blow into much deeper drifts. Driving conditions will be positively dangerous, with widespread transport and communication disruption expected. “The danger will be greatest in areas that see warmer air tussling with the big freeze. Here we’re likely to see super chilled water fall as rain – only to freeze instantly as it hits the ground.

GETTY The 'Best from the East' is expected to hunker down as the week continues

“The result could be an invisible, lethal glaze on roads and pavements.” Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: “We are expecting quite wide impacts from Emma when she arrives on Thursday night. “We are forecasting more snow, strong winds and freezing rain which will make driving conditions extremely dangerous.” Met Office chief forecaster Andy Page warned to expect road closures and travel chaos into the weekend. He said: “Long delays and cancellations to public transport could occur, while some roads may become blocked by deep snow, stranding vehicles and passengers. “Long interruptions to power supplies and other utilities could occur.”

Temperatures plunged to -8.9C (16F) in Hampshire on Monday night. Lows of between -5C and -15C are forecast this week. Bitter winds could make it feel close to -17C in the North and -10C even in the far South. Severe warnings remain at an amber level, one below red which urges people to “take action now” to avoid the weather. However forecaster Craig Snell said: “The warning could well go up.” The last red weather warning for snow was issued by the Met Office across South Wales in January 2013.

Snow pictures: Heavy snow hits UK overnight causing carnage Wed, February 28, 2018 Snow pictures: Heavy snow hits UK overnight – Snow pics from where YOU are. Play slideshow @CDDFRS 1 of 78 Very lucky lady who has been released by crews from Durham & Bishop Auckland Green