BRITS are facing potential commuter chaos this morning after the "Beast from the East" forced rail companies to cancel 200 trains and airlines to postpone flights.

Forecasters also warned how roads across the UK could be too dangerous to drive on, with more than 20cm of snow expected to fall across the country up until midday.

50 Snow hit Newcastle last night as the Beast From The East arrived. Doom-laden official warnings about the snow triggered panic buying and travel chaos Credit: North News and Pictures

Amber warnings have been issued for snow showers this morning, covering the South East and North East of England and the East Midlands.

The Met Office revealed how the snow storm could lead to people becoming stranded in their cars along with further rail and air cancellations.

This morning, pictures emerged of traffic struggling through a blanket of snow on the A19 in Teeside.

Forecaster Marco Petagna said there would be some "quite treacherous driving conditions" due to the snow, as many make their way into work.

50 A resident in Horwich, Bolton, where three inches of snow has fallen in the last hour, took a lighthearted view of the frigid conditions Credit: Mercury Press

50 A man clears the snow from his car in Tonbridge, Kent as snow carpets the South East of England Credit: �2018 Stephen Lock / i-Images

50 A lorry makes its way through heavy snow on the A19 near Hartlepool Credit: BackGrid

50 A car also made its way down the white covered A19 dual carriageway in Teesside Credit: BackGrid

He added: "Most people will have to travel, but if you don't have to travel - it is best to try to avoid if you can within those amber warnings."

The Met Office also warned how communities across the UK could become cut off by the freezing weather - completely shutting down power lines and cutting off mobile phones.

On the roads Highways England has warned of hazardous driving conditions across much of the UK as snow began to settle overnight.

The A249 in Kent has been shut due to a crash, between junction 7 for the M20 and junction 5 for the M2, while the A1231 in the North East was blocked by an overturned lorry near the A182.

North Yorkshire Police said snow and ice was affecting most of the roads in the area, with roads around Harrogate and Craven particularly treacherous with the also A19 closed after a crash.

50 Canvey Island, Essex got off to a frosty start this morning as Brits braced for another bitterly cold day Credit: P Clark

50 Residents in Peterborough awoke to a dusting of the white stuff as the Beast from the East grasped the country for the second day running Credit: Paul Marriott

North West Motorway Police reported that some lanes on motorways in the area were blocked due to the snow.

Lincolnshire Police tweeted that they were already dealing with five collisions by 6.30am on Tuesday morning and said roads were "particularly hazardous".

Merseyside Police urged people to take care while driving, and said the force had received reports of a crash on the M62 just before junction 5.

And the North West Motorway Police tweeted that it was on the scene of a crash on the M6 eastbound at junction 5 after a car span across all three lanes and hit a tree.

50 Experts are warning of 'treacherous' roads as the deadly -12C storm hits Britain Credit: EPA

50 Forecasters have issued both yellow and amber warnings for today and tomorrow

National Rail is strongly advising travellers to check online before making their journey and allow extra time to get to the station.

The train companies they are currently listing as affected include: c2c, Greater Anglia, London Overground, South Western Railway, Southeastern, Stansted Express, TfL Rail.

In the capital Transport for London has reported that TfL Rail services will be suspended until 7am this morning.

Only a limited service of six trains per hour will be in operation between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield, while c2c is also operating a limited timetable.

#UKSnow - Poor weather may affect your journey from this evening. We strongly advise you check before you travel at https://t.co/D0KeMuJubH. Details of how train operators may be affected can be found at https://t.co/JdnzicooXs — National Rail (@nationalrailenq) February 26, 2018

The Overground has been suspended in parts and their are minor delays affecting the DLR and the Piccadilly line.

Currently all other Underground lines are running a good service.

Southeastern, which operates in Kent, has cancelled dozens of trains, including several to London St Pancras, London Victoria and Cannon Street.

Great Northern said fewer trains will be running between Kings Lynn and Cambridge during the morning peak, with services running hourly instead of half-hourly. Services between Kings Cross and Ely have been cancelled.

Southern will be running an hourly train service on the London Bridge to Uckfield line, with additional coaches, and a shuttle service between Redhill and Tonbridge.

The embattled train operator's website crashed this morning as thousands of workers checked to see if their trains were running.

Greater Anglia said a limited timetable would be in operation today with some 200 trains cancelled.

The company said commuters should visit its website to find out if their trains are running and to work out alternative routes to and from work.

All Greater Anglia trains will operate a reduced service today, tomorrow and Thursday.

Lines serving Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Ipswich, Colchester and Stratford will all be affected.

50 Brave tourists seen punting on the River Cam in Cambridge in a blizzard on Monday afternoon Credit: Martin Bond/Geoff Robinson

50 Commuters wait at Liverpool Street Station as many train services are delayed or cancelled because of the cold weather Credit: London News Pictures

Shuttle service will operate from Braintree, Clacton and Sudbury.

All other services will run with a less frequent or slower service until Thursday.

Greater Anglia service delivery director Richard Dean said: "The last time such heavy snow fell in this region was over 25 years ago.

"In extreme conditions such as these, we work hard with Network Rail to keep key routes open, using snow ploughs, points heaters and mobilising all staff to clear snow off platforms and heat up and de-ice trains."

He added: "If the forecasts prove wrong, we will of course, do everything possible to get services up and running as soon as possible."

Trains across Essex, including in Laindon, Rainham and Ockendon, will have a heavily reduced service and passengers are advised to check their final departures online.

50 Commuters face a miserable journey to work as the snow falls in freezing temperature Credit: Rex Features

50 Britain is being battered by the 'Beast from the East' - a -10C weather front bringing Siberian chills and heavy snow to the UK

Rail chiefs have placed emergency 4x4 vehicles on standby to rescue stranded trains on frozen tracks.

Bosses at Arriva Trains Wales - the biggest rail operator in Wales - said stations would be gritted but passengers need to take extra time for their journeys.

Great Northern said fewer trains will be running between Kings Lynn and Cambridge during the morning peak, with services running hourly instead of half-hourly. Services between Kings Cross and Ely have been cancelled.

Southern will be running an hourly train service on the London Bridge to Uckfield line, with additional coaches, and a shuttle service between Redhill and Tonbridge.

Airports are also advising travellers to check with their airlines before setting out on their journey.

British Airways has cancelled dozens of flights from Heathrow Airport on Tuesday, while easyJet said it is expecting disruption to some of its flights and has advised customers to check before they travel.

Passengers are also being advised to check before they travel from Gatwick and Stansted.

East Midlands Airport said it was currently fully operational, but warned passengers to monitor updates throughout the day.

It's set to be the coldest weather in 27 years as the wintry blast sends temperatures tumbling - and more than 20cm of snow could settle by Wednesday.

50 Snow blizzards hit Leicester as the Siberian blast continues to send temperatures plummeting Credit: Caters News Agency

50 The 'Beast from the East' brings snow showers to Leicester Credit: Caters News Agency

Amber warnings for snow showers this morning - covering the South East, the East Midlands and the North East - have been issued.

Forecaster Frank Saunders said parts of the country could see their "coldest spell of weather since at least 2013, and possibly since 1991".

The NHS could also struggle to cope with the extra strain caused by the wintry weather, doctors have warned, and people have been encouraged to check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours.

The public have also been asked to look out for the homeless and report anyone sleeping rough in the freezing conditions to their local council.

From Thursday forecasters predict that another weather system, Storm Emma, will bring blizzards, gales and sleet as it meets the chilly Beast from the East later this week.

50 Motorists are being urged to take extra care on the roads and only travel if necessary as blizzard-like conditions make for tough driving conditions. Pictured: The Dartford Crossing in Kent yesterday lunchtime Credit: Steve Finn

50 Commuters were urged to be home by 6pm as trains cancel dozens of services as forecasters warn more snow. Pictured: South London Credit: EPA

50 Members of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards are almost hidden in a snow shower at Buckingham Palace in London yesterday lunchtime Credit: London News Pictures

50 Troops of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards battled snow showers as they manned Buckingham Palace yesterday Credit: London News Pictures

The storm, named by the Portuguese Met Service, will move north through Europe and is due to hit the UK on Thursday and Friday, and will be "significantly disruptive", bringing the risk of power cuts and transport delays.

Commuters were told to get home by 6pm last night and panic-buying shoppers were clearing supermarket shelves as the Siberian blast gripped the UK.

Shoppers reportedly cleared some supermarkets shelves of bread and milk, while others have reported queues of over an hour, as desperate Brits panic-buy the basics.

Customers at a Tesco Extra branch in Gillingham, Kent, reported seeing chaotic scenes as people barged past each other to stock up.

50 Shoppers grab emergency supplies at a packed-out Tesco in Medway, Kent Credit: Mercury Press

50 Shoppers were forced to queue for up to an hour as panic-buying swept this Tesco store in Medway, Kent Credit: Mercury Press

Large numbers of empty shelves @waitrose Admiral Park. I was told panic buying has begun even though not a flake of snow has fallen on @Guernsey ! #BeastFromTheEast @islandfm pic.twitter.com/DBhDHj6566 — Richard Harding (Richard West) (@laughingradiodj) February 26, 2018

50 Residents of North East London woke up to snow showers yesterday as forecasters warn the ice blast will last for the rest of the week Credit: Andrew Parsons

50 Motorists are being warned about the deteriorating conditions with fears snow and black ice could cause problems on the roads including in London, pictured Credit: EPA

50 Trains faced bleak conditions at Clapham Junction yesterday as the snow started to sweep across London and the South East Credit: AP:Associated Press

Similar scenes have been reported in Asda in Sittingbourne and Waitrose in Guernsey, where supplies of milk and bread have been snapped up by the public.

Hundreds of rail services are affected as the coldest spell in five years grips the UK - with conditions only set to worsen this week when Storm Emma hits.

The Siberian chill has sent temperatures plunging to -10C in some parts with seven inches of snow forecast over the next two days.

Conditions will worsen even further tomorrow as Storm Emma - named by the Portuguese Met Office - brings strong winds and a second blast of heavy snow.

Public Health England said the elderly and vulnerable are at "risk of death" as it urged people to take extra care in the unprecedented conditions.

Snowed in? Send us your snow pics by emailing: yourpics@thesun.co.uk

50 Brits are being advised to stock up on medications and food amid fears road and rail networks will get cut off completely by the Siberian snow blast. Pictured: A commuter struggles in London this morning Credit: Reuters

50 The Siberian big chill will bring snow for much of the week - and conditions will worsen when Storm Emma hits London, pictured yesterday, from Wednesday onwards Credit: PA:Press Association

50 Snow fell across large swathes of the south yesterday including in Gillingham, pictured Credit: @1nikkinoodles

50 Snow begun to sweep much of Britain yesterday as the -10C Siberian 'Beast from the East' finally hit - with heavy lashings hitting Sleaford in Lincolnshire, pictured Credit: @Redsprocket68

50 Residents in Billericay, Essex woke up to heavy snow showers on Monday as commuters face trouble getting to and from work today due to the snowy conditions Credit: The Sun

The Portuguese met service @ipma_pt have named #StormEmma, bringing strong winds to the Portuguese coast on Wednesday. Emma may then bring strong winds and heavy snow to parts of the UK during Thursday and Friday pic.twitter.com/1pU1ApgHr7 — Met Office (@metoffice) February 26, 2018

50 Credit: Alamy Live News

Londoners try to get to to work as snow begins to fall on London Bridge

50 Snow flurries hit London yesterday as commuters were advised to get home by 6pm Credit: PA:Press Association

50 Snow was laying on the ground in Essex yesterday morning as the country braced the -10C Siberian cold snap Credit: Twitter @SupportHospital

IS YOUR TRAIN AFFECTED? FULL LIST OF RAIL DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS TfL RAIL: The service will resume at 7am this morning with only a very limited run of six trains per hour. C2C: A special service will operate on C2C routes today – customers are advised to check before travelling. GREATER ANGLIA AND STANSTED EXPRESS: A limited service will operate from 6am-10pm today, Wednesday and Thursday. No service today between the following stations: Norwich and Sheringham, Norwich and Great Yarmouth, Norwich and Lowestoft, Ipswich and Felixstowe, Ipswich and Lowestoft, Colchester and Colchester Town, Stratford and Tottenham Hale Shuttle train service only between the following stations: Braintree and Witham, Harwich and Manningtree, Thorpe-le-Soken and Walton-on-the-Naze, Hertford East and Broxbourne, Colchester and Clacton-on-Sea, Southminster and Wickford, Marks Tey and Sudbury Limited service from 6am this morning: Norwich / Ipswich / Colchester and London Liverpool Street, Southend Victoria and London Liverpool Street, Cambridge / Stansted Airport and London Liverpool Street, Norwich and Cambridge, Ipswich and Cambridge / Peterborough, Cambridge and London Liverpool Street, Stansted Express: Stansted Airport and London Liverpool Street GATWICK EXPRESS AND SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY:

Customers are strongly advised to check before travelling. GREAT NORTHERN: Heavily reduced service today - customers advised to check before travelling.