'Don't even try and travel tomorrow': Motorists warned to stay off the road as Britain faces being covered in up to six inches of snow
- Heaviest snowfall of the winter is expected tomorrow night and into Friday
- Families warned only to travel if absolutely essential and parents told to check schools are open
- 262 schools in Norfolk were closed today after snow and freezing fog covered the East overnight
- RAC expects 8,500 call-outs by end of day - 1,000 more than average in winter
- Four-hour delays and cancellations at London City Airport because of poor visibility this morning
- Norwich International Airport closed until 2pm today for de-icing
- Temperatures plunged to -13C overnight and sub-zero conditions forecast to continue
By EMMA REYNOLDS and ANDY DOLAN
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For those who were disappointed by the lack of snow at Christmas, the weather seems determined to make up for it now.
Blizzard conditions are expected to grip the country tomorrow with more heavy snowfall and strong winds forecast.
Up to 10in of snow could fall, with the North West, Wales and the West Midlands worst affected.
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New Year treat: Visitors relax in the Thermae Bath Spa's naturally heated rooftop pool in the city centre
Romantic scene: Tourists kick their heels back as they float peacefully in the steaming water on an icy day in Bath
Washed out: Hardly a patch of colour is visible in this picture of a Norfolk road, as cars crawled carefully along slippery streets today
No school today! Families go tobogganing in the snow on Ketts Hill with Norwich Cathedral visible behind, after 262 schools in the county were closed
Look at me, Mum! One boy shows off some impressive skills on his wooden sledge on Ketts Hill in Norwich, with most schools in the county closed
Holiday feeling: Excited youngsters in Norwich wore bobble hats and gloves as they showed off their best moves on makeshift plastic sleds near the city centre today
Snowball or fluffball? Macy, the Pomeranian dog has tons of fun running through a wintry garden in Leicester
Snow will spread east throughout the day, while Cornwall, far West Wales and Northern Ireland are likely to face driving rain instead.
Met Office Severe Weather Warnings have been issued for the heavy snow, with a yellow ‘be aware’ warning covering most of the UK for tomorrow.
The more serious amber ‘be prepared’ warning is in place for parts of Wales, West Midlands and the North West where 4-6in of snow is expected, with as much as 10in on higher ground.
Met Office spokesman Dan Williams said: 'It will be pretty chilly on Thursday night with the coldest places seeing temperatures of -3C.
'The UK will struggle to get above 0C in the East. Elsewhere is a bit milder at 2C.'
He said snow is expected to cause major disruption for commuters and people hoping to get away for the weekend.
The Met Office warned people to check before travelling, and said parents should make sure their child's school is open.
Mr Williams added: 'We will see widespread snow across the country on Friday morning, just in time for rush hour. Most places will see 2cm to 5cm of snow and Western areas and Scotland will see 10cm to 15cm of snow.
'There will be fairly strong winds so snow will drift around so we'll see blizzard-like conditions, which could potentially cause transport disruptions.
'People should be prepared to change their plans and don't travel unless it's absolutely necessary.
'There could be chaos on the roads and trains so check before you travel and keep up to date on any changes. The rest of the weekend will be slightly warmer and drier.'
Shining like glass: Frozen branches and pure white snow are reflected in a perfectly still Norfolk stream today
Weather cocktail: Even looking at this frosted Norfolk scene sends a shiver down the spine - and blizzards, sleet and more snow are on the way
Sparkle: Parents were told not to travel where possible on Friday and to check if their children's schools are open, after hundreds closed in Norfolk, pictured, today
Robin Hood's hideout: Snow in Sherwood forest created a spooky sight - the image of a man sat at the foot of the Major Oak, said to resemble Friar Tuck of folkloric fame
Powerful sight: Skiers and snowboarders take advantage of the recent snowfalls in the Pennines as Yadmoss ski tow opens for the first time this year
Breathless: Extreme sports fans survey the incredible view from their vantage point in the Pennines, preparing for the thrill of speeding downhill
VIDEO: Skiers and snowboarders take advantage of Cumbia's winter wonderland
Norwich International Airport was closed this morning so runways could be de-iced, while passengers at London City Airport faced four-hour delays and cancellations because of foggy conditions.
After temperatures plunged to -13C overnight, significant snowfalls are now due, with parts of northwest England, Wales and the West Midlands particularly at risk.
A band of rain will push into the west into Friday morning, turning to sleet and snow. Further outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow are expected over the weekend, and the snow that has fallen will be slow to melt, with ice an ongoing risk, especially at night.
RAC spokesman Simon Williams said that in East Anglia, one of the worst-hit areas, operators had dealt with a normal day's worth of calls before midday.
'We are experiencing a high volume of call-outs in coastal areas from the north east to Brighton in the south,' he added.
Scouting for grass: Two shaggy horses spend a day out in the snow near Flash in a chilly Staffordshire
Death trap: A snaking queue forms behind an overturned car on a Brighton road after the vehicle skidded on ice
Slog: A walker battles his way through deep drifts on Axe Edge Moor, near Buxton in Derbyshire, with forecasters warning the snow may not melt until next week
Dazzling: Chris Wycech walks Oscar the dog on Mam Tor above Castleton, in Derbyshire's Peak District
Drifts: Rural parts of Britain are finding it particularly difficult to cope with the snow. Pictured, Aberdeenshire in Scotland
Inhospitable: The deep blanket of snow makes Aberdeenshire look like an unfamiliar planet, with only the odd protuding landmark proving that this is the UK
Risky conditions: The RAC is expecting 8,500 breakdowns today, which is 1,000 more than on a normal winter's day. Pictured, a deserted Aberdeenshire
'The main issues are frozen doors, petrol caps, windows and handbrakes. Nationally, we are expecting 8,500 breakdowns today, which is 1,000 more than a normal winter's day.'
Darron Burness, head of the AA’s severe weather team, said: 'With the outlook remaining cold, drivers need to be prepared for possible disruption.
'Before heading out, check the Met Office weather alerts and traffic reports and allow a bit more time for your journey, as you don't want to rush on potentially icy roads. Do the basic checks on your car and, in case of any problems, carry plenty of warm clothing, blankets, de-icer and scraper, some food, hot flask and a fully-charged mobile.'
Steve Crosthwaite, head of the Highways Agency’s National Traffic Operations Centre, said: 'We advise drivers to check road conditions and the Met Office weather forecast before they set off and during severe weather to consider whether their journey is essential. They may want to delay their travel until conditions improve and to allow our winter fleet the chance to treat the roads.
'Our traffic officers are working round the clock to monitor the network, deal with any incidents and keep traffic moving.'
Winter wonderland: Dog walkers enjoy gorgeous scenes at Lexden Park in Colchester, Essex, as Britain prepares for a total white-out
Barbed wire: Ice crystals on this fence in Colchester make it look both beautiful and dangerous - just like the weather
Black and white fluff: A posing poodle looks particularly elegant against the sprinkling of snow, as many chose to take parkland walks today rather than brave the icy roads
Majestic: A towering tree spreads its glittering branches over a dog walker below on a bright but bitterly cold day
As many as 262 schools in Norfolk closed today because of snow, with drivers were forced to get out of their skidding cars on icy hills and passers-by even seen pushing a double-decker up a hill in Norwich.
All planes were grounded at Norwich International Airport yesterday and a six-vehicle pile-up on the A11 left three people injured,. The AA reported about 1,000 breakdowns an hour.
Freezing fog blanketed the Midlands, East Anglia and central and southern England last night and snow fell along the North Sea coast and down into Kent.
The lowest temperatures overnight were -12.7C at Braemar in Scotland and -12.1C at Houghton Hall in Norfolk, according to MeteoGroup.
Blank canvas: The North and East were a bright white in this image taken at 12pm yesterday by NASA's Modis satellite
White out: A dog walker in a bright red coat sets out across the frozen Epsom Downs Racecourse this morning
Dog's life: Another colourfully dressed walker throws a ball for her dog as they have fun in the snow
Goosebumps: Riders wrap themselves and their horses in plenty of layers, left, while a brave jogger wears just shorts for an icy morning run on the Downs
Foggy feeling: A cyclist clears his thoughts for the day ahead with a bracing trip over the Downs
Gloomy: A woman in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, is barely visible as the night's frost gives way to fog
Comfort food: Ponies try to focus on their hay in Hamble, Hampshire, while ice covers theirs backs after the harsh frost that hit the south overnight
Feeling the chill: Temperatures dropped well below zero across much of the country last night as freezing fog spread over central and southern England
Gemma Plumb, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said it had been bitterly cold for much of the UK overnight, with average temperatures between -3C and -7C and -3C in London, with worse to come.
'Most places are looking like they will be dry today, with some sunny spells around. But fog and low cloud could linger in places like the East Midlands and East Anglia, with further outbreaks of sleet and snow across parts of western Scotland.
'It is going to be very cold today, with many places struggling to see temperatures rising above freezing.
'Parts of Scotland, northern England, Wales, the Midlands and East Anglia will be looking at maximum temperatures of -1C or zero.'
MeteoGroup’s Ms Plumb said the coldest area of the UK overnight was Braemar in Scotland, which reached minus 12.9C (8.8F) - equalling the chilliest day of the winter so far.
That was also recorded at Braemar, on December 16.
Splendid view: Northern areas including Tyne and Wear looked like a fairytale landscape this morning after overnight lows of -12C
Golden orb: A magnificent sunrise over a snowy Tyne and Wear, as families prepared for at least a week of freezing weather
Field of dreams: The pale sun creates streaks of amber on the horizon, cutting through the cold blues on morning
Shepherd's warning: A deep red sky loomed ominously over Shepton Mallet, Somerset, this morning
Dramatic image: Only the smallest glimmer of blue sky shone through the threatening purple and scarlet clouds
Warning: Three day weather forecast predicts snow mainly in the north of England while the south will suffer from rain, sleet and fog
Danger: The Met Office has issued weather warnings for up to 25cm (ten inches) of snow across the UK on Friday
VIDEO: Passers-by help push double-decker uphill in snowy Norwich
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