Snow and ice have caused widespread disruption across the UK this morning with trains and flights cancelled and events postponed due to the weather.
The Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for parts of the country this morning as temperatures dropped as low as -10C overnight.
Parts of Britain even experienced snow last night – with heavy snow in Scotland causing Glasgow Airport to suspend all flights.
Flurries of snow also fell in the southeast and southwest of England, with icy rails causing a power failure in Kent.
This led to the Southeastern service between Dover Priory and Ramsgate to be suspended.
Frosty and snowy fields at the Penshaw Monument near Sunderland on Friday morning
The Angel of the North statue in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, dusted with snow on Friday
Widespread travel disruption is being caused by the ice and snow
Football fans will be disappointed as the freezing conditions means the FA Cup second round clash between Crewe and Bristol Rovers has been postponed.
This is because a pitch inspection found it was unsafe to play due to a ‘prolonged spell of sub-zero conditions’.
Crewe’s match with Bristol Rovers in the second round of the FA Cup today has been called off and rearranged for December 12, with the playing surface deemed unsafe.
A number of Scottish Professional Football League matches were likewise postponed ahead of the weekend, with Dundee United’s trip to face Morton at Cappielow called off, and the game between Ayr and Arbroath at Somerset Park.
The Met Office warned drivers and cyclists to be wary of slippery roads and said travelling by road or railway is likely to take longer due to icy patches.
It comes after the first day of meteorological winter brought a cold snap across the UK yesterday, sparking panic among event organisers who have cancelled a raft of events including a Christmas fun run.
Several train services were cancelled or delayed due to the icy conditions, and adding to the chaos are the strikes by train drivers affecting East Midlands Railway and LNER services today.
Yellow weather warnings are in place through to 11am on Saturday morning for the northern coast and southwest of Scotland, along with the southwest and the eastern coast of England.
The Met Office warned drivers and cyclists to be wary of slippery roads and said travelling by road or railway is likely to take longer due to icy patches
Yellow weather warnings are in place through to 11am on Saturday morning for the northern coast and southwest of Scotland, along with the southwest and the eastern coast of England
Scotland in particular had heavy snow fall over the last few days with temperatures dropping to -10C on Friday night.
This led to Glasgow Airport suspending all their flights this morning.
A post on the Glasgow Airport’s X account read: ‘Flight operations are currently suspended due to heavier than forecast snow.
‘Our winter teams have been working through the night and we hope to resume operations as soon as possible.
‘Please check with your airline for further flight updates.’
Dale Hipkiss, National Network Manager at National Highways, said: ‘Plan ahead for your journey, check weather forecasts, and if weather conditions do become challenging whilst travelling, adjust your driving behaviour and take extra care.
‘If you do unfortunately find yourself in an unsafe or vulnerable situation and need assistance please contact the emergency services.
‘We have a guide to travelling in severe weather on our website. It’s also a good idea for people to check their vehicle’s tyres, coolant and oil levels before heading out to reduce the risk of a breakdown.’
A firework display due to take place at Stonham Barns Park today has been cancelled due to the weather.
Organisers said: ‘Unfortunately due to the weather and the condition of our field we have decided to cancel our firework night this weekend.’
It comes after several firework displays across Suffolk were postponed or cancelled due to poor weather in November.
The official parkrun has has to cancel dozens of events this weekend due to ‘weather’ and ‘frost and ice on the course’.
Organisers of the cancelled Albert Parkrun in Middlesborough quipped that ‘the pavement allows for ice skating rather than run’.
Temperatures plunged to their lowest since March yesterday, causing 30 schools to close or open late in Cornwall.
Several crashes were also reported on the roads in County Durham roads as a result of the snow.