Forecasters have predicted cold conditions across much of the UK Travel chaos as big freeze bites
Forecasters have predicted cold conditions across much of the UK Severe weather warnings are in place for many parts of the UK, as snow and freezing temperatures bring more travel chaos.
Hundreds of drivers spent much of the night stuck on the M6 in Greater Manchester after a lorry jack-knifed.
The arctic conditions threaten further disruption on the roads, railways and airports on the last weekend before Christmas.
British Airways cancelled all flights out of Heathrow between 1000 GMT and 1700 GMT.
All passengers on BA flights were advised not to travel to the airport on Saturday, the airline said.
Problems were reported on several motorways overnight, including the M61, M58 and M57, as 20cm of snow fell in north-west England.
Commuter Stephen Derbyshire, who was stranded on the M6 for five hours, told BBC Radio 5 live: “It is absolute mayhem.”
The M6 and M61 reopened at around 0700 GMT after junctions 22-27 and 6-8 respectively had been closed.
Police have advised people not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
Easyjet cancelled all flights in and out of Gatwick Airport until 1000 GMT and expects further cancellations and delays throughout the day.
WEATHER AND TRAVEL INFO
Get the latest on travel problems and school closures 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
A Gatwick spokesman said flights to Amsterdam, Geneva, Munich and Copenhagen had all been disrupted.
In Cardiff, staff who work at University Hospital Wales are being urged to contact their wards to see if they are able to help over the weekend because the weather has hit staffing levels.
Heavy snow is forecast in Northern Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and parts of England.
Overnight, temperatures fell as low as minus 13C in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, and minus 11C at Gatwick.
Up to 10cm of snow is expected later across southern England and Wales.
BBC weather forecaster Daniel Corbett said: “South-west England and the southern counties of of England will bear the brunt of this storm.”
In Northern Ireland, where conditions on Friday were said to be the worst in 25 years, the situation is expected to improve slightly with only a few snow showers expected.
Other problems caused by the weather include:
Bristol Airport was closed for snow clearance but Belfast International airport reopened at 0030 GMT, although delays are expectedRail operators Southern, Southeastern and South West Trains cancelled some services on SaturdayA number of weekend football fixtures have been cancelled and the National Hunt meeting at Haydock was abandonedA cannabis factory in Leicester has been exposed by the wintry weather because heat lamps inside melted the snow on its roofAn urgent appeal is being made for blood donors, particularly those who are O negative, as stocks are running lowCompanies have warned of a backlog of deliveries which may not reach customers before ChristmasTransport secretary Philip Hammond says distributors of heating oil are hoping to clear their delivery backlog in the next few days, following fears it may need to be rationed
Heavy snowfall during the past few weeks has caused huge disruption, especially in Scotland and north-east England.
Around the UKTravel problems as snow hits north Snow causing chaos to Wales Snowfall in NI worst in 25 years
On Friday, at least 800 schools in Wales, 500 in Scotland and 700 in Northern Ireland closed.
New Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown has insisted Scotland is “very well prepared” and the authorities are doing all they can to keep trunk roads open.
Mr Brown’ s predecessor Stewart Stevenson resigned after his department was criticised for its handling of the problems caused by the previous bout of severe weather.
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.