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SNOW has today blanketed huge parts of the UK - and there's more to come.

The white stuff has fallen as far south as Dorset after temperatures dropped below freezing overnight.

Bristol blanketed in snow amid freezing temperatures
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Bristol blanketed in snow amid freezing temperaturesCredit: Lee Thomas
Dog walkers pictured walking across a snowy field in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, on Wednesday
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Dog walkers pictured walking across a snowy field in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, on Wednesday
A car navigating a country lane in Broomfield, Somerset
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A car navigating a country lane in Broomfield, Somerset
Heavy snow in Somerset on Wednesday morning saw cars marooned in Lydeard Hill, near Cothelston
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Heavy snow in Somerset on Wednesday morning saw cars marooned in Lydeard Hill, near Cothelston
A yellow weather warning for snow is in force today and tomorrow
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A yellow weather warning for snow is in force today and tomorrow

In Kinbrace in the Scottish Highlands, the mercury fell to a bitter -15.2C - with the Met Office saying it was the coldest night of the year so far.

Forecasters have issued three snow and ice warnings for across the UK today - the southeast and southwest of England, parts of Yorkshire and the North East, and northern Scotland, along with areas of Northern Ireland including Belfast.

Up to four inches is expected by the end of the day over higher ground.

Today is the second of four days hit with yellow weather alerts - with snow yet again expected across large parts of the UK tomorrow and on Friday.

MORE ON WEATHER

The Met Office warns: "Ice and some snow leading to difficult travel conditions in places.

"Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services. Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.

"Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths."

Heavy snow has forced roads to close across Surrey and Hampshire, with the National Highways issuing a "severe" warning for drivers in the South East and South West.

Motorists are advised to plan ahead and expect disruption and delays.

Wiltshire Police this morning warned: "Very heavy snow overnight is making driving conditions very dangerous.

"If your journey is not necessary please do not drive."

All arriving and departing flights have been suspended at Bristol Airport until 11am following heavy snowfall.

A Wizz Air flight travelling from Dublin was unable to land due to the wintry conditions.

A spokesperson said: "Passengers are advised to contact their airline for specific flight information prior to travelling to the airport and please take extra care."

Bristol Airport has temporarily grounded all flights until 11am.

In a statement on social media they said: "The Bristol Airport teams are working hard on snow clearing operations, but as the snow continues to fall, flight operations have been suspended until 1100.

"For the latest flight information please check with your airline."

And multiple aircrafts are reportedly being held near London City Airport, Gatwick and Heathrow, due to the weather.

Gatwick Airport said some passengers experienced "minor delays" on Wednesday morning but "the airport is open and flights are operating".

There are also minor delays on the District Line on the London Underground due to ice on the tracks.

A string of schools have closed due to the chilly conditions.

And forecasters say there is a chance that rural communities could be cut off for several days.

People should be prepared for long interruptions to power supplies, gas, water, telephone and mobile phone coverage, they added.

They warned: "Bus and train services may be delayed or cancelled, with some road closures and longer journey times possible.

"Power cuts may occur and other services may be temporarily affected.

"Untreated pavements and cycle paths might be impassable with a chance of injuries from slips and falls on snow-covered or icy surfaces."

The first dumping of snow hit on Tuesday and will continue well into Friday.

While forecasters are unclear if the white stuff will settle today in the South, the snow is more likely to settle when it moves across much of northern England, Northern Ireland and much of Scotland on Thursday.

Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said snow should fall where cold Arctic air moving south towards the UK meets warmer air moving up from the South West.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

He added: "As we move into the weekend as that low pressure has moved out from the East, there is a further band of rain likely to move from the South West, which could knock against cooler air and create sleet showers.

"Next week there will be a gradual warming back to something a little bit more typical for the time of year."

People play in the snow on the Dunstable Downs in Bedfordshire
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People play in the snow on the Dunstable Downs in BedfordshireCredit: PA
Cars make their way through the snow in Chippenham, Wiltshire
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Cars make their way through the snow in Chippenham, WiltshireCredit: Alamy
Snow settles on Glastonbury Tor, Somerset
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Snow settles on Glastonbury Tor, SomersetCredit: PA
Horseriders out on the snowy Epsom Downs in Surrey
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Horseriders out on the snowy Epsom Downs in SurreyCredit: LNP
Snow falling at sunrise in central London this morning
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Snow falling at sunrise in central London this morningCredit: LNP
National Highways has issued a 'severe' travel warning for the South East and South West
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National Highways has issued a 'severe' travel warning for the South East and South WestCredit: LNP
A cyclist makes his way through heavy snowfall on Westminster Bridge, London
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A cyclist makes his way through heavy snowfall on Westminster Bridge, LondonCredit: LNP
The Long Walk at Windsor covered in a blanket of snow
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The Long Walk at Windsor covered in a blanket of snowCredit: w8media
Police were called after a car left the road on the A249 in Kent
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Police were called after a car left the road on the A249 in KentCredit: UkNewsinPictures
Sunrise swimmers take a dip in Edinburgh on International Women's Day despite freezing temperatures
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Sunrise swimmers take a dip in Edinburgh on International Women's Day despite freezing temperaturesCredit: Euan Cherry
A snow-covered Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol
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A snow-covered Clifton Suspension Bridge in BristolCredit: Lee Thomas
Snow covers  the steep cobbled street at Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset
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Snow covers the steep cobbled street at Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, DorsetCredit: ©Graham Hunt
A driver battling snow and icy roads in Reading, Berkshire
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A driver battling snow and icy roads in Reading, BerkshireCredit: Rex
Snow blankets the trees on the golf course on Epsom Downs in Surrey
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Snow blankets the trees on the golf course on Epsom Downs in SurreyCredit: LNP
Snow blankets The Rubbing House pub on Epsom Downs in Surrey
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Snow blankets The Rubbing House pub on Epsom Downs in SurreyCredit: LNP
Early morning swimmers brave the cold in London's Hyde Park
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Early morning swimmers brave the cold in London's Hyde ParkCredit: Jeremy Selwyn
Cars make their way through the snow in Parliament Square, London
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Cars make their way through the snow in Parliament Square, LondonCredit: LNP
A family is battered by snow and chilly conditions in central London
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A family is battered by snow and chilly conditions in central LondonCredit: Belinda Jiao
The white stuff falling at Amersham Tube station, Buckinghamshire, before sunrise
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The white stuff falling at Amersham Tube station, Buckinghamshire, before sunriseCredit: the sun
Snow hits Reading, Berkshire at 5am
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Snow hits Reading, Berkshire at 5amCredit: The Sun
Windsor Castle surrounded by the first snow of 2023
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Windsor Castle surrounded by the first snow of 2023Credit: w8media
A blanket of the white stuff in Bromley, south east London
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A blanket of the white stuff in Bromley, south east LondonCredit: LNP
Snow in Ash Vale, Surrey, on March 8
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Snow in Ash Vale, Surrey, on March 8Credit: SWNS
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