Storm Goretti will bring even more wintry weather today as the ‘worst snowfall in a decade’ has hit the UK.
Rare red weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office for wind speeds with gusts of up to 100mph expected in some parts of the country.
Power outages, travel chaos and school closures are also expected during this belated white Christmas.
Much of the snow has fallen in the Midlands, covering Birmingham and Nottingham and most of Wales.
Birmingham Airport cancelled all flights last night due to heavy snowfall in the runway.
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Parts of northern England are also affected, including Manchester, leeds and Newcastle.
Most of Scotland is also affected, with snow and ice warnings in place until 12pm today.
To find out if your area has a chance of snow, you can use our tracker map below:
Meanwhile wind speeds of 99mph were recorded at St Mary’s Airport on the Isles of Scilly yesterday, which is a new record for the site, the Met Office said.
In the south west of England, a number of train services have been cancelled. This includes all trains in Cornwall being suspended, as well as trains on the Exeter-Okehampton and Exeter-Barnstaple routes in Devon.
Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong described Storm Goretti as a ‘multi-hazard event’ with heavy rain, strong winds and snow.
He said up to 10cm of snow is likely widely in Wales and the Midlands, with 15-25cm and a potential for up to 30cm in some areas.
Strong winds reaching speeds of up to 60mph will likely affect south-western areas this afternoon and evening, with gusts of 60-70mph along exposed hills and coasts.
Are there snow and ice warnings today?
The Met Office has issued both amber and yellow weather warning today, covering most of the UK.
An amber warning for snow covering the Midlands will remain in place until later this morning. A yellow weather warning spreading into the north of england and central Wales is also in place until noon.
Scotland and the north east of England is covered by a yellow warning for snow and ice until 12pm.
The snowfall will mean trains and planes could be delayed or cancelled, rural communities may be cut off and power cuts and disruption to mobile signals are likely.
National Highways issued its own amber warning for snow in the West and East Midlands, which lasts from 6pm on Thursday until 9am on Friday.
The agency said in a statement: ‘Routes particularly around Birmingham across to Leicester and Nottingham will see particularly difficult driving conditions and consideration of the weather forecast should be taken before commencing journeys, with considerable delays possible.’
Drivers were also warned that the A628 Woodhead Pass would be closed both ways between the A616 at Flouch and the A57 at Hollingworth from 8pm on Thursday due to the severe weather.
A yellow rain warning has also been issued across the east of England from 6pm on Thursday to 9pm on Friday, and in west Wales from midday on Thursday to 10am on Friday.
Are there any cold weather alerts?
Amber cold weather health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency until January 11, meaning severe impacts across health and social care services are expected.
Officials expect a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, with impacts also possible on younger age groups.
The NHS advises that if you do need to head outside today, ‘waddle like a penguin’ to stay safe on the icy pavements.
By sticking your arms out and taking short, shuffling steps, you keep your centre of gravity close to your feet, so are less likely to wobble.
But get used to waddling, Jim Dale, a forecaster who founded British Weather Services, told Metro.
He said: ‘The storm will dump the snow, especially across Wales and the Midlands. Not eight inches, but more like five inches or 12cm.
‘Scotland of course have much, much more even now.’
Dale said that as blob of Polar air is behind the cold snap and has been hovering above the UK for about a week now.
He added: ‘It’s slightly less cold today as we await the storm.’
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