Hundreds of people stranded on a motorway in Scotland on Wednesday were stuck in their cars overnight as severe snow caused widespread disruption in the UK.

Parts of the UK are on red alert as the snow continued to fall across much of the country, closing schools, delaying medical operations and causing widespread travel disruption. The red warning means extreme weather is expected, with the potential for risk to life.

Storm Emma and beast from the east bring more snow chaos to UK – live Read more

Fuel and water supplies were being delivered by emergency services to those stuck on the M80 near Glasgow, as rescue workers struggled to clear the tailbacks. The motorway, which was covered by the red weather warning, became gridlocked during the afternoon when it was hit by heavy snow.

Forecasters said some communities could be cut off overnight on Wednesday as up to 40cm (15.7in) of snow was expected to fall by the morning. Roads in eastern England were among the worst hit, though the snowfall was forecast to worsen in Scotland later.

A man believed to be in his 60s died in hospital after being pulled from the water at Danson Park in Welling, south-east London, police said. And firefighters rescued a young boy who tried to run to the middle of a frozen lake near Basildon, Essex, and got trapped on an island of ice when it broke up around him.



Rail travellers were warned to avoid going to or from Scotland during the worsening conditions. In the west, no trains were running north of Carlisle, and in the east services were heavily disrupted, with no trains running north of Edinburgh.

Glasgow airport cancelled all flights on Wednesday, while more than 100 planes were grounded at Heathrow. At least 98 more flights were cancelled at London City airport, as were flights from Leeds Bradford and Glasgow airports.

NHS England said the cold weather – along with an outbreak of norovirus and high rates of flu – could leave the service facing the “most challenging circumstances for several years”. The National Emergency Pressures Panel, which met on Wednesday, said the NHS should prepare for continued pressure.

The Met Office put in place a red warning of snow for central Scotland on Wednesday and Thursday. It is the first time a red alert for snow has been issued in Scotland, and only the second time anywhere in the UK. Much of the rest of the country was covered by the less severe amber and yellow warnings, with Wales, western England and the rest of Scotland likely to be badly hit.

Play Video 1:19 Red alerts announced as snow causes disruption across UK – video

Wales and south-west England are forecast to expect blizzards on Thursday and Friday as Storm Emma, which on Wednesday night was over the Bay of Biscay, collides with the cold air already over the UK. Heavy rain from the storm is expected to turn to snow when it reaches the south coast and will combine with strong wind to produce the blizzards.



“Heavy snow showers will become more widespread across the area … through the evening and overnight into Thursday,” the Met Office said. “Strong easterly winds will lead to significant drifting of lying snow.”

Forecasters predicted blocked roads and further delays and cancellations on transport networks. They said some communities could be cut off for several days and that there would be long interruptions to power supplies.

In the worst-hit places, 5cm of snow was forecast to fall within an hour and, where it lies, to reach 20-40cm.



Rail services were not expected to start running again on the west coast mainline between Carlisle and Scotland before Thursday afternoon. Southbound trains that were running were significantly delayed.

All Caledonian Sleeper services between London and Scotland due to depart on Wednesday night were cancelled and ScotRail reduced its services in the red warning area.

Play Video 0:19 Timelapse video of London waking up to a blanket of snow - video

Virgin Trains East Coast lifted its ticket restrictions for services on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, while dozens of Southeastern services – serving London, Kent and East Sussex – were unable to run because of problems in several locations.

Delays and cancellations on the c2c line from south Essex into London Fenchurch Street station were worsened when freezing doors prevented some passengers getting on and off trains.

Many roads across the country were closed or blocked after vehicles became stuck. The RAC said it had had its busiest day for 10 years on Tuesday, with 9,500 callouts, but believed this figure was likely to be topped on Wednesday.