Don't even try and travel tomorrow': Motorists warned to stay off the road as Britain faces being covered in up to six inches

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