Motorists in worst affected areas advised to pack blankets, food and water, and consider delaying journeys unless essential

Travellers across the UK have been advised to plan their journeys, monitor weather reports and pack a snow kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel if they really need to travel, as Highways England issued a severe weather warning.

The RAC said it expected to attend about one breakdown every 10 seconds through the course of the day.

The organisation’s traffic spokesman, Rod Dennis, said: “Drivers in the areas likely to be affected should consider delaying their journeys if they are not absolutely essential, as some disruption is likely.”

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Travellers had been warned on Thusday of freezing weather and heavy snow across much of Britain on what could be the coldest night of the year so far, with more disruption expected on the roads and at airports.

Arctic air hovering over the UK were expected to bring temperatures as low as -13C in Scotland overnight, and an amber weather warning was in place for heavy snow in the east Midlands, north-west England and Yorkshire on Friday morning.

The Met Office warned that the freezing weather was likely to cause delays and cancelations to rail and air travel, long tailbacks and stranding on the roads, and possible power cuts.

Met Office (@metoffice) Be prepared for some disruption to travel tomorrow as a spell of heavy #snow moves across northern England and southern Scotland #weatheraware pic.twitter.com/PsLh8Ppejb

Accumulations of up to 10cm (4ins) of snow were predicted in northern England, and up to 15cm (6ins) could fall over higher ground.

“Travel delays on roads are likely, stranding some vehicles and passengers. Some delays and cancellations to rail and air travel are likely,” the Met Office warned.

“There is a possibility that some rural communities could become temporarily cut off. Power cuts may also occur.”

With the amber warning in place between 4am on Friday until 11am, a wider yellow warning for snow has also been issued for southern and eastern Scotland, northern England and the Midlands.

Northern Ireland also has a country-wide yellow warning for ice and snow in place from 12am until 9am on Friday.

A Met Office spokeswoman, Nicola Maxey, also warned on Thursday the country could see the coldest night of the year so far before snow blankets parts of the country.

“The coldest temperature we have seen this year is -13C in Scotland, and we are likely to see temperatures slightly below that,” she added. “But we are not talking about those extremes in the town and city centres, it is out in rural areas, more exposed areas, particularly over lying snow where you see temperatures drop the most.”

On the roads, the RAC said it was dealing with a high number of breakdowns on Thursday, 20% above average for the time of year.

The travel group also issued driving information for Thursday evening and Friday, advising motorists to consider delaying their journey.

An RAC spokesman, Rod Dennis, said: “Some northern regions are set to see further snowfall in the early hours making driving conditions very difficult, if not impossible where the heaviest snowfall occurs. Drivers in the areas likely to be affected should consider delaying their journeys if they are not absolutely essential, as some disruption is likely.

“Those that do head out should make sure that their vehicle is equipped and ready to cope with the wintry conditions – that means properly inflated tyres with plenty of tread, and oil, coolant and screenwash all at the right levels.

“Drivers should also pack a winter kit including blankets, food and drink, a torch and a shovel – and of course a fully-charged mobile phone to call for help if necessary. We’d encourage all drivers to reduce their speed and take extra care, and of course to expect their journey to take much longer than usual.

“For much of the rest of the country, it’s ice that will once again be the main thing drivers have to contend with tomorrow morning.”

Heavy rain and snowfall over the Christmas break have raised water levels in rivers and lakes in England, prompting the Environment Agency to issued three flood warnings and 54 flood alerts on Thursday.