Forecasts suggest the cold spell could last for weeks HGV hours relaxed to aid supplies
Forecasts suggest the cold spell could last for weeks Forecasters are warning that freezing conditions across the UK could continue into next week, as treacherous roads affect mail and petrol deliveries.
Temperatures are expected to rise above freezing during daytime this weekend, but there are Met Office warnings of icy roads covering much of the UK.
Royal Mail reported problems with about 10% of deliveries on Friday, and pumps at hundreds of garages could run dry.
The weekend sport schedule, from football to horse racing, has been hit.
Scotland is worst-hit, with all Premier League football off, while the teatime Premier League clash between Blackpool and Manchester United was postponed, along with many Football League fixtures in England.
Various rugby union and horse racing fixtures have also fallen victim to the weather.
There is expected to be further snow in northern Scotland on Saturday and Sunday, while rain is expected in western parts of England and Wales.
Heavy rain along the coast of south-east England, combined with snow melt, could cause flooding issues later on Saturday, warned BBC forecaster Alex Deakin.
Dry and bright conditions are expected on Sunday, he said.
WEATHER AND TRAVEL INFO
Get the latest on travel problems via your local website Check if snow is forecast in your area at BBC Weather Details of motorway and local road closures and public transport disruption are available at BBC Travel News For advice on handling difficult driving conditions, see the Highways Agency website For information about severe weather warnings, see the Met Office website For information about staying healthy in the cold weather, see the NHS Winter Health website
Severe weather warnings have been issued for much of the UK in expectation of widespread icy roads.
The AA said it had attended about 17,500 breakdowns across the UK up to 1700 GMT on Friday – up from about 16,000 on Thursday. A typical Friday, normally the organisation’s quietest day, brings about 9,500 call-outs. The busiest areas were Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds and Bradford.
Darron Burness, head of AA special operations, said: “Road salt is less effective from -5C and barely effective at all from -9C, so even main roads were badly affected in places.
“Ice will remain the biggest risk facing drivers over the next few days until we’ve had a sustained period of milder weather. It’s virtually impossible to spot black ice, so keep your speed down and if it’s slippery, maintain a 10-second gap between you and the vehicle in front.”
Royal Mail said delivery problems on Friday could have affected as many as two million households, and it has suspended the next-day guarantee on its special delivery service.
The Independent Petrol Retailers Association says up to 500 garages are worried they could run out of fuel this weekend.
A Downing Street spokesman said there were no major concerns over supplies of food, petrol, diesel or gas.
The enhanced content on this page requires Javascript and Flash Player 9
Map Key
Land
Cloud
Lakes, Rivers & Sea
Land Cloud Lakes, Rivers & Sea
Fog 
Light
Heavy
Frost 
Light
Heavy
Pressure Fronts
Cold
Warm
Occluded
ColdWarmOccluded Rain 
Light
Heavy
Extreme
Snow 
Light
Heavy
Temperature tab only
Temperature (°C) 
Many rail operators are warning of delays on routes. National Rail Enquiries has set up a hotline on 08453 017 641, and also has updates at @nationalrailenq on Twitter.
Eurostar cancelled 17 trips on Friday and said its timetable would be significantly reduced, with cancellations and delays, until Sunday.
Gatwick Airport has reopened after being shut for two days but is warning passengers to expect delays and cancellations as it takes a few days for schedules to return to normal.
Passengers are being told to check with their airline before leaving home.
Robin Hood Airport, in Doncaster, will remain closed until 1000 GMT on Sunday.
William Wilson, 84, was one of two pensioners found dead in their gardens in Cumbria this week Police in Cumbria are investigating the deaths of two elderly people, who died in their gardens in freezing conditions in separate incidents.
Officers said it appeared 80-year-old Lillian Jenkinson, who was found dead in Workington on Wednesday morning, might have fallen in her garden in freezing conditions.
On Tuesday, 84-year-old William Wilson was found dead in his garden in Waitby, near Kirkby Stephen, and police – who are urging people to look out for each other in the cold weather – are trying to work out whether a fall or a medical condition may have contributed to his death.
Send your pictures and videos to [email protected] or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.