SCHOOLS across the country have been forced to close today due to severe weather conditions at the weekend.
The issue has affected schools in Derbyshire, Lancashire, the Midlands and other parts of the country due to dangerous and icy roads.
Weather warnings for ice are in force around the country, with drivers urged to take extra care when heading out.
It comes after forecaster predict the white stuff could continue to two weeks, as freezing temperatures set in after killer Storm Arwen ripped through Britain.
Frozen flurries hit parts of the UK this weekend along with gusts of almost 100mph as a rare red wind warning was issued on Friday.
Read our weather live blog for the latest forecasts and updates...
Adriana Elgueta 3 minutes ago
House and campervan destroyed by Storm Arwen
Their campervan was beyond repair Credit: Triangle News
Fran Coleman’s family had only lived in their home for seven months when gusts of near 100mph sent part of it toppling down with their campervan was parked at the side of their house at the time.
Bricks leading up to the roof were dislodged by the strong gusts of wind, causing a whole section of the wall to crumble.
The family of Seaham, Durham have been left heartbroken as their campervan is destroyed beyond repair.
The family will now have to scrap their beloved van but amazingly, a car parked next to the van was mostly unscathed by the shower of bricks.
A clump of bricks fells from the outer section of their house Credit: Triangle News
Adriana Elgueta 18 minutes ago
Tops tips from the AA on driving safe in Storm Arwen aftermath
Give yourself time: Allow plenty of extra time for your journey, including time to de-ice the car. It may take longer but it also means that you will have full visibility which in bad weather is vital.
Don't be tempted to pour hot water over the screen - if has a chip the sudden change in temperature could lead to a crack. Best way is to use a scraper. And don't leave your car alone with the engine running, that's an invitation to thieves
Stay topped up: Top up the windscreen wash with a good quality additive to reduce the chance of freezing. Keep at least quarter of a tank of fuel - an accident or closed road up ahead is likely to result in long delays.
Choose your route: Check your route for accidents or closures before you leave and, if possible, favour roads which have been gritted.
Adriana Elgueta 33 minutes ago
Insurance giant reveals NEXT WEEKEND is the most dangerous for driving this festive period
Nine years of accident claims data from Admiral Car Insurance has revealed that statistically December 4 and 5 are the most dangerous weekend of the year to drive.
Across the year these days have the second and third highest claims volumes respectively, with only 18 January having more car accident claims each year. Furthermore, half of the top ten days with the highest volume of accident claims fall in December.
Christmas Eve was also revealed as a watch out day for drivers, as 24 December sees the most claims for car park collisions in the year.
Adriana Elgueta 48 minutes ago
TWO flood warnings in place
In the East, high tidal water is moving up the rivers from Great Yarmouth and is currently restricting the normal drainage of the Broads river system out to sea at low tide.
Expect high levels around Potter Heigham, Wroxham boat yards and Ferry Road in Horning and caution is urged on waterside roads and footpaths and don't put yourself in unnecessary danger.
The second alert is for the Upper Derwent and Scarborough areas, including land around The Sea Cut at Scalby, Throxenby Beck, Old Malton, and Priorpot Beck in Norton.
Low lying land and roads are at risk in these areas as farmland floods but water levels are lowering.
A road out of Seaham is flooded and causing chaos this morning for motorist Credit: Jordan Crosby
Adriana Elgueta Today, 11:15
Waze app notifies users of most recent road hazards
Ruairidh Roberts, UK Country Manager at Waze, commented: "As parts of the UK have faced the effects of the arctic plunge and Storm Arwen, we urge motorists making essential journeys to be extra diligent.”
“At Waze, we are expecting delays around the country as the turbulent weather causes chaos on British roads. As a result, we’ve sent out push notifications to our app users, encouraging them to report hazards caused by the bad weather.
“To report weather-related issues in Waze, users should tap the report button > hazard > weather, and select the option relevant to the event. Drivers can also use voice commands by saying “Ok Waze” and following the options to report weather disruption.”
Adriana Elgueta Today, 11:00
How to avoid winter blues
The blues increase in the darker days of winter, typically starting in November and lasting through March.
A lack of sunlight is known to affect your hormone regulation affecting your sleep and serotonin levels.
To avoid SAD, try a minimum of 30-minutes of exposure every day, especially in the morning, which has been proven to reduce or eliminate symptoms.
Walk, work, play, stand, or sit in your car in the light to trigger the biochemical processes essential.
Adriana Elgueta Today, 10:45
Today's extremes
Lowest minimum temperature: -6.4C in Shap, Penrith, Cumbria
Lowest maximum temperature: -0.9C in Warcop, Cumbria
Highest maximum temperature: 10.3C in the Isles of Scilly
Highest rainfall: 14.6mm in Bridlington, East Riding, Yorkshire
Sunniest: 6.6 hours in Shoeburyness, Essex
Adriana Elgueta Today, 10:30
Odds SLASHED on December being coldest on record
Ladbrokes have already slashed odds on next month playing host to the coldest December EVER.
Having been a 2/1 shot last week, the bookies now make it just 5/4 for next month to enter the record books for all the wrong reasons, with freezing temperatures just about ready to batter Britain.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "We've already seen November snow and the odds are already suggesting there's every chance next month goes down as the coldest December on record."
December 2021 to be coldest on record - 5/4.
Adriana Elgueta Today, 10:15
Today's weather outlook
From today, it'll become milder and cloudier from the northwest, say the Met Office.
Today will see a cold start with some icy stretches and fog patches. Cloud and rain in the Northwest, with a little snow on the leading edge over Scotland, moving south along with strengthening winds. Cold in the South ahead of this, becoming milder in the North.
Tonight it'll stay, mostly cloudy and milder than recent nights with light rain at times for many.
Rain will be most persistent in the northwest and perhaps an early frost in the southeast before becoming milder.
Adriana Elgueta Today, 10:00
STUNNING SNOW SHOTS
Despite the chaos that the extreme weather has brought on, photographers are making the most of the white out for to make some beautiful wintry images.
These snaps of a Warwickshire village, Old Arley, were taken this morning at the sun was rising.
The picturesque village is more than a thousands years old and has a population of just under 3,000.
A drone has captured its beauty just as the sun rose this morning Credit: SWNS
The sun peaks through the clouds Credit: SWNS
Adriana Elgueta Today, 09:45
SCHOOL CLOSURES
Dozens of schools, predominantly in the North and Midlands, are closed today amid snow chaos.
Bradford in Yorkshire is one of the worst affected with up to 50 schools reported partially or fully closed this morning - other councils all over Yorkshire. such as Barnsley and Sheffield, have also reported closures.
Many schools in Derbyshire and Staffordshire are shut or partially shut due to the dangerous travel conditions as well.
Adriana Elgueta Today, 09:30
SNOW RUINS FOOTIE
The Premier League match between Burnley and Tottenham was called off a little under an hour before kick-off on Sunday due to heavy snow at Turf Moor.
After snow began to fall in late morning, attempts to clear the pitch began around 90 minutes before the scheduled 2pm kick-off but proved in vain, with snow coming down as quickly as it could be moved.
Turf Moor’s undersoil heating had been on overnight but was unable to cope. There were also concerns over areas around the ground as supporters began to arrive.
BREAKING: Burnley vs. Tottenham is postponed due to heavy snow pic.twitter.com/JjV6JrcimY
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 28, 2021
Adriana Elgueta Today, 09:15
I'M A CELEB CHAOS
I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’s contestants were evacuated this weekend as the show was forced off air for the first time after Storm Arwen sent a 100ft tree crashing into a wall of Gwrych Castle.
They had initially hunkered down inside when ITV bosses were forced to clear crew from the site after howling 80mph winds wreaked havoc.
But the stars were dramatically whisked out of camp last night amid safety fears at the castle.
I’m A Celeb officials last night confirmed the move “while we get the production base back up”.
Sources said the celebs will return to pre-show quarantine measures to make sure they remain Covid-secure.
Adriana Elgueta Today, 09:00
STILL SNOWED IN
50 people are still trapped in a Yorkshire pub Credit: PA
Good Morning Britain viewers were left shocked at the snowy scenes at the Tan Hill Inn this morning.
Customers have been digging themselves out since Friday, November 26 but many of them are still stuck.
Britain's highest pub 's manager, Nicola Tonwsend revealed she still had 55 people trapped with many left sleeping on the floor.
Adriana Elgueta Today, 08:45
POWER OUTAGE
Tens of thousands of homes were left without power and brought widespread snow this weekend.
Northern Powergrid, which supplies energy to the northeast, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, said 240,000 customers lost service but on Sunday supply had been restored to 200,000.
Electricity North West, which provides energy for an area between the Scottish border and Stockport, said 67,000 of 83,000 customers who lost power had seen their supply restored.
Adriana Elgueta Today, 08:28
‘Coldest night of season'
Forecasters have warned of the “coldest night of the season” for parts of the UK, last night with temperatures dropping to as low as -10C.
The Met Office has said it expected to see the mercury fall below zero in many parts of the country, including in cities such as London, where it reached -2C in the late hours of Sunday.
It has also issued two yellow ice warnings – one across eastern parts of Scotland, and another stretching from the northeast of England down to the south coast from Sunday afternoon.
Milica Cosic Today, 08:00
Weather outlook for Monday
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... cold weather, globes, scarves and wrapping up warm! We just need the snow to go with it.
Monday will be mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain spreading into western areas. Rain may fall as sleet and snow for a time across the north-east
Milica Cosic Today, 07:30
Safely de-ice without damaging your windscreen
The frost on your vehicle could contain rocks and other sharp material, which could crack your windshield if it’s pressed too hard.
Turning the car on and sticking on the heaters for five to 10 minutes will also make your life easier and prevent you needing to press hard to clear any ice.
Some posh ice scrapers made of glass have appeared on the market, but using such a material in our modest winter temperatures can be risky.
Plastic or rubber is the safer choice, even if it needs a bit more elbow grease.
Milica Cosic Today, 07:00
Brits hit by ice warning
ICE warnings are in force for much of the UK as Storm Arwen rips through the nation.
The killer conditions have sent temperatures tumbling and brought gusts of almost 100mph.
And the “cold and frosty” weather is forecast to stick around – for up to two weeks.
Yellow weather warnings for ice today cover central, eastern and southern England, and north east Scotland.
They stretch from as far north as Aberdeen down to Southampton on the Hampshire coast.
The conditions are expected to make for “tricky travel” until at least 10am today.
Milica Cosic Today, 06:30
When is it too cold to go to work?
The Met Office has warned that shots of Arctic air will hit the UK shores in the coming days - "meaning much colder and wetter weather".
Up to 20 inches of snow are predicted to fall in Scotland starting from Sunday, with the icy weather moving further down the country over the following days.
Everyone loves a snow day but unfortunately there is no guarantee of a day off just because it is snowing.
There is no law for minimum or maximum working temperatures.
Milica Cosic Today, 06:00
Monday morning to be a chilly one
Met Office forecaster Tom Morgan said: "As Storm Arwen is clearing out to Europe, a cold northerly flow of wind has been left behind in the UK, causing some of the bitterly cold temperatures we've seen.
"There is set to be further wintry weather on Sunday, with snow expected to fall across areas in Scotland and northern England, and even in parts of southern and central England.
"Parts of Scotland and northern England, where snow is on the ground, will be very cold again tonight, with the temperature certainly falling below zero and even as low as -10C, which would make it the coldest night of the season so far.
"Though this is expected to be the exception rather than the rule, temperatures of below freezing will be widespread, including in London and the South East which could hit -2C.
"Even if you do live in a city, you can expect to be scraping frost, ice or even snow off your cars on Monday morning."
Milica Cosic Today, 05:30
Winter driving laws you need to know
FROSTY conditions bring tougher roads - and the possibility of huge fines for drivers.
We reveal which rules are easiest to break at this time of year and how to make sure you steer clear of any trouble.
Clean your windscreen or face a fine - or worse Wear proper footwear Check your tyres Clear the roof
Read the article in full here.
Milica Cosic Today, 05:00
Wintery weather to continue
WX Charts show the wintery weather will continue next Friday affecting England, Scotland and Wales.
And Brits will be braced for weeks of cold conditions - as more snow is currently also forecast for December 13.
This means that snow is set to fall - potentially causing transport and travel issues - in the next two weeks.
Milica Cosic Today, 04:30
Explained: Should I leave my car running to warm it up?
Avoid doing this if you can. Leaving your car engine going before you start driving doesn’t actually help the engine, but just ramps up your fuel use and emissions.
Cars older than 20 years do need warming up to get going in the cold weather.
But most modern engines adjust their temperature accordingly, so car experts say you shouldn’t leave your car running for more than 30 seconds before driving.
Milica Cosic Today, 04:00
Snow to fall for TWO WEEKS
SNOW is set to fall for TWO WEEKS as freezing temperatures will set in after killer Storm Arwen ripped through Britain.
Frozen flurries hit parts of the UK yesterday along with gusts of almost 100mph as a rare red wind warning was issued on Friday.
But freezing conditions are set to continue into December.
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