Brrr-itain braced for arctic blizzards as it shivers in temperatures colder than Moscow



Large parts of the UK were tonight braced for blizzard-like conditions as forecasters warned of more heavy snowfall.

The UK was plunged into a freezing snap as an Arctic weather front swept in, blanketing parts of Scotland and northern England in snow, and leaving some areas colder than Moscow.

Forecasters said the east was set to be worst hit.



Children play in the snow at the Hole-of-Horcum in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park today as an Arctic weather front hits the UK

Motorists were warned to be prepared for hazardous driving conditions with up to 10cm (4in) of snow predicted in some places tomorrow.

'There is likely to be a couple of hours of snowfall tomorrow,' said Rob Hutchinson, a forecaster for MeteoGroup UK.

'Wales, the south west and Northern Ireland will probably escape but central and eastern England and Scotland will be affected.

Two geese look through a snow covered gate in the village of Lockton on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park

'There could also be a couple of centimetres in London but the east is likely to be the worst hit with between five and 10cm.'

'We had some snow late last month but this wintry snap has got the potential to be the most severe of the winter so far.'

The Met Office today issued severe weather warnings along the east coast, from North Yorkshire to Suffolk.

Storm waves hit Seaham lighthouse in Sunderland today

It said heavy snow was likely to continue to fall throughout tonight, with more to follow tomorrow.

Snow fell in parts of Scotland and north-east England on Friday, with around five centimetres in Aberdeen.

In northern Scotland, motorists faced disruption as roads were closed.

People walk a dog as snow falls in the village of Lockton on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park

Temperatures were set to drop below freezing to a low of -5c overnight and reach a maximum of 10c (50F) tomorrow.

Although much of the UK is set to wake up to a blanket of snow, much of it is likely to be washed away by rain as the day progresses, with milder air coming from the south west, MeteoGroup UK said.

The AA advised motorists to limit their speed to the conditions and to be aware of the greater stopping distances required in ice and snow.

A van abandoned at the roadside near Goathland in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park

It said it was deploying snow-busting patrol vehicles to help rescue drivers stranded in ice and snow.

The Land Rovers, equipped with winches, tow poles and 4x4 capability, are being deployed in northern areas which are likely to bear the main brunt of the cold weather.

Meanwhile, councils across the country were getting gritters ready to clear roads of any snow and ice.

Shoppers in Aberdeen city centre braved the cold snap as snow started to fall

A snowplough clears a road near Inverness, Scotland. The freezing conditions are expected to spread down the east coast of the UK

David Sparks, of the Local Government Association, said: 'Councils up and down the country are on high alert for the wintry weather forecast this weekend.

'The stockpiling of grit, combined with investment in new technology, means that local authorities will be able to tackle icy road conditions before they become potentially dangerous for drivers.'

The charity Age Concern has warned older people to take extra care to stay warm in the freezing weather.





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At Aberdeen Airport pilots have to cope with snow as they took off and landed yesterday

Heavy falls in Aberdeenshire even gave the sheep a coating of snow

Snow began falling at 10am yesterday in parts of Scotland and north-east England as the weather front moved in from the Arctic circle, with around five centimetres in Aberdeen last night.

A cold snap in late November would traditionally herald the start of winter proper but this year has already proved an exception with snow covering parts of the south east of England, including London in late October.

The freak snowfall on the night of October 28 has already been described by forecasters as the most outstanding example of early snowfall in the south east of England since 1880 and has seen some bookmakers slashing their odds on a white Christmas.

A car edges its way down a road in Tomatin near Inverness. Snow began to fall yesterday morning as the weather front moved in from the Arctic

Bookmakers William Hill have reported record betting levels already and have cuts the odds on snow falling on Christmas Day in London from 8/1 to 6/1 and Glasgow is now as short as 7/2.

William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said: 'We have never had so much money in the book with over a month to go.

'If it snows we will be paying out millions to our customers.'