Drivers are warned to ‘stay off the roads’

Britain is being battered by 95mph winds as Storm Fionn tore its way across the country.

Motorists are being warned to stay off the roads today amid fears cars could again become stranded as parts of the UK are also hit by further ‘persistent and heavy snow’.

The country is braced for strong gusts and heavy snow in southern Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland, with police warning against any travel in parts of Britain after a weather warning was upgraded to severe.

Severe gales of 93mph were recorded at Capel Curig Saws in Wales today, while gusts reached 72mph at London City Airport and Liverpool this morning.  

At least 30 vehicles are stuck on the A19 northbound, near Hartlepool, as heavy snow showers hit the region.

Police are at the scene but there is no sign on any movement due to snow ploughs not being able to get through.

Motorists are being warned to stay off the roads today amid fears cars could again become stranded as parts of the UK are also hit by further ‘persistent and heavy snow’. Pictured is the A19, near Hartlepool this morning

At least 30 vehicles are stuck on the A19 northbound, near Hartlepool, as heavy snow showers hit the region

At least 30 vehicles are stuck on the A19 northbound, near Hartlepool, as heavy snow showers hit the region

Two lorries are seen stuck on the A19 northbound near Hartlepool, as heavy snow showers hit the region this morning

Two lorries are seen stuck on the A19 northbound near Hartlepool, as heavy snow showers hit the region this morning

Severe gales of 93mph were recorded at Capel Curig Saws in Wales today, while gusts reached 72mph at London City Airport and Liverpool this morning

Severe gales of 93mph were recorded at Capel Curig Saws in Wales today, while gusts reached 72mph at London City Airport and Liverpool this morning

Police are at the scene on the A19 but there is no sign on any movement due to snow ploughs not being able to get through

Police are at the scene on the A19 but there is no sign on any movement due to snow ploughs not being able to get through

It comes after mountain rescue teams were drafted in to check on drivers stuck in their vehicles overnight yesterday when snow and ice brought the M74 in Lanarkshire, Scotland, to a standstill.  Up to 15in (39cm) of the white stuff hit Dumfries and Galloway as heavy snow showers struck the country – and a further 8in is expected in some parts today.

Forecasters have issued a fresh amber ‘be prepared’ warning of heavy snow for southern Scotland and northern England today, with disruption and cancellations expected to rail and air travel. 

Dozens of schools have been closed in parts of Scotland, while public transport has been disrupted by the weather. There are also fears some rural communities are at risk of becoming cut off and left without power.

All schools in the Scottish Borders were shut yesterday along with 200 in Northern Ireland, while commuters across Britain were warned of treacherous conditions following the arrival of Storm Fionn over Ireland. 

A woman walks past snow-covered fields and an overturned car on January 17, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland

A woman walks past snow-covered fields and an overturned car on January 17, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Motorist travel through a heavy snow shower in r on the M8 in Harthill, Scotland

Cars pass through snow in Midlothian, near Edinburgh

Left: Motorist travel through a heavy snow shower in r on the M8 in Harthill, Scotland. Right: Cars pass through snow in Midlothian, near Edinburgh

A woman clears snow from her front door on January 17, 2018 in Leadhills, Scotland

A woman clears snow from her front door on January 17, 2018 in Leadhills, Scotland

A jackknifed lorry is recovered on the M74 today after motorists spent the night stranded on the road in Abington, Scotland

A jackknifed lorry is recovered on the M74 today after motorists spent the night stranded on the road in Abington, Scotland

A plane lands in the snow at Leeds Bradford Airport this morning as parts of the country were hit by severe weather

A plane lands in the snow at Leeds Bradford Airport this morning as parts of the country were hit by severe weather

Vehicles travel down the M74 today after motorists spent the night stranded on the motorway in Abington

Vehicles travel down the M74 today after motorists spent the night stranded on the motorway in Abington

Heavy snow hits Scotland for the second day today, with many cars becoming stuck on ice in Kirkliston, West Lothian

Heavy snow hits Scotland for the second day today, with many cars becoming stuck on ice in Kirkliston, West Lothian

A man takes grit to clear a road in West Lothian as heavy snow causes more problems in Scotland this morning

A man takes grit to clear a road in West Lothian as heavy snow causes more problems in Scotland this morning

Snow-covered rooftops in Barnard Castle, County Durham, as snow showers sweep across Northern England this morning

Snow-covered rooftops in Barnard Castle, County Durham, as snow showers sweep across Northern England this morning

DRIVERS DIE IN HORROR CRASH

 Two men have died after a van and coach collided, Norfolk Police said.

Emergency services were called to the crash on the A47 in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, at around 5.20pm on Wednesday.

The passenger in the transit van was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver was cut free from the vehicle and taken to hospital, but died a short time later.

Those aboard the coach suffered slight bruising and went to hospital for treatment, the force said.

The A47 remains closed while investigators carry out inquiries.

Police asked those who witnessed the collision to call the serious collision investigation team on 101.

Fionn became the sixth named storm of the season on Tuesday night after smashing Ireland and causing disruption to parts of the UK. 

Strong winds of up to 80mph could also blast north west England and wales at mid-day, before gusts sweep over to parts of Lincolnshire and East Anglia on early Thursday morning. 

Police are also warning against any travel after a weather warning was upgraded to severe. 

A Met Office forecaster told MailOnline: ‘The worst affected areas will be the Scotland – England border. 

‘Southern and far north parts of Scotland could get 1in (3cm) to 3in (8cm) of snow and up to 20cm in higher parts.’ 

Scotland’s transport minister Humza Yousaf told MSPs at Holyrood that following a new Met Office amber warning for Wednesday evening, Police Scotland were upgrading their travel warning from stage three to a stage four.

He said: ‘That in practice means that all travel should be avoided on those parts of the trunk road affected by the amber warning, namely south and south-west Scotland for the duration of the amber warning.’

Police Scotland closed parts of the M74 in Lanarkshire in both directions due to wintry conditions for a number of hours overnight. The road later reopened. 

A mountain rescue team helped motorists early this morning who were trapped on the M74 in Lanarkshire in wintry weather

A mountain rescue team helped motorists early this morning who were trapped on the M74 in Lanarkshire in wintry weather

A man walks in snowy conditions in Oxspring, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire, this morning

A man walks in snowy conditions in Oxspring, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire, this morning

More than 200 motorists were stranded overnight on the M74 as heavy snow and ice caused treacherous conditions today

More than 200 motorists were stranded overnight on the M74 as heavy snow and ice caused treacherous conditions today

Elsewhere a runaway lorry slid down a snowy street then crashed into a fence on Tuesday morning in Glenmavis, North Lanarkshire.

Witness Niki Blackhall, who filmed the incident, said: ‘The men in the truck got out to help the crashed cars and the truck slid away.

‘It hit our wall. I’m just glad nobody was injured and the wall stopped the truck from sliding down the hill, as the outcome would have been a lot worse.’

Mountain rescue teams were drafted in to check on drivers on the M74 overnight, many of whom were stuck in their vehicles for several hours.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf has apologised to those stranded in their vehicles overnight. 

This MagicSeaweed graphic shows the wave swell coming into Ireland today (from midnight to 9pm) as Storm Fionn hits

This graphic shows the wave swell yesterday, with the black area showing a swell of up to 50ft approaching the Irish coast

This graphic shows the wave swell yesterday, with the black area showing a swell of up to 50ft approaching the Irish coast

Sam Sykes, a surveyor from Biggar, South Lanarkshire, said he was stuck on the M74 for around 12 hours – from 6pm on Tuesday until around 5.30am on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old was travelling from Dalry in Ayrshire to Biggar after work.

He said: ‘The length of time, the cold and the uncertainty of when it would start again was the worst part.’

Mat Jackson, 29, a product manager with Siemens, arrived home in Manchester at around 11.30am on Wednesday – having left Glasgow at 3.20pm on Tuesday. 

Trucks back up at Red Moss truck stop off the M74 today after motorists spent the night stranded in Crawford

Trucks back up at Red Moss truck stop off the M74 today after motorists spent the night stranded in Crawford

Brigid Stitt prepares to go sledding in the snow in Belfast today as Northern Ireland was hit by school closures

Brigid Stitt prepares to go sledding in the snow in Belfast today as Northern Ireland was hit by school closures

Heavy snow hits Scotland for the second day causing travel chaos, with many cars stuck at Abington Service Station today

Heavy snow hits Scotland for the second day causing travel chaos, with many cars stuck at Abington Service Station today

A snow-capped Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset, this morning - the road made famous by the Hovis bread advert in 1973

A snow-capped Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset, this morning – the road made famous by the Hovis bread advert in 1973

Heavy snow hits Scotland, causing travel problems with cars facing tough conditions today in Kirkliston, West Lothian

Heavy snow hits Scotland, causing travel problems with cars facing tough conditions today in Kirkliston, West Lothian

Weather warnings have been issued for most of Britain today as heavy snow hits Kirkliston in West Lothian

Weather warnings have been issued for most of Britain today as heavy snow hits Kirkliston in West Lothian

Trixie the dog stands in the snow in Kirkliston, West Lothian, as more than a foot of the white stuff fell in parts of Scotland

Trixie the dog stands in the snow in Kirkliston, West Lothian, as more than a foot of the white stuff fell in parts of Scotland

The Dumfries and Galloway Virtual Operations Support Team helped motorists stuck in the snow in Scotland today

The Dumfries and Galloway Virtual Operations Support Team helped motorists stuck in the snow in Scotland today

Mountain rescue teams and fire crews helped drivers stuck in their vehicles in Dumfries and Galloway this morning

Mountain rescue teams and fire crews helped drivers stuck in their vehicles in Dumfries and Galloway this morning

Vehicles make their way through heavy snow in Midlothian near Edinburgh today as motorists face tough driving conditions

Vehicles make their way through heavy snow in Midlothian near Edinburgh today as motorists face tough driving conditions

Drivers help to push a vehicle back on the road after snow made road conditions difficult in Midlothian near Edinburgh today

Drivers help to push a vehicle back on the road after snow made road conditions difficult in Midlothian near Edinburgh today

Snow blankets the grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's official residence in Edinburgh today

Snow blankets the grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh today

Bleak windy conditions are pictured at 'The Abbey' near  Hay on Wye in Herefordshire today

Bleak windy conditions are pictured at ‘The Abbey’ near Hay on Wye in Herefordshire today

A snow plough clears snow on a slip road next to the M74 after motorists spending the night stranded  in Abington

A snow plough clears snow on a slip road next to the M74 after motorists spending the night stranded in Abington

A snow covered field near Craswall in Herefordshire today as Britain is hit by a series of weather warning

A snow covered field near Craswall in Herefordshire today as Britain is hit by a series of weather warning

He said: ‘Every time gritters went by you thought ‘here we go’ but the snow just came down harder, it was that thick you couldn’t see in front of you.’

Police declared a critical incident and said that more than 200 people were stranded.

All schools in the Borders were closed due to the weather while 16 secondary schools, 58 primaries and 44 nurseries in the Highlands were shut.

Around 20 schools in Dumfries and Galloway and 28 schools and nurseries in South Lanarkshire were also closed. 

Huge waves crash into the seafront at Blackpool in Lancashire today, with 80mph gusts expected tonight

Huge waves crash into the seafront at Blackpool in Lancashire today, with 80mph gusts expected tonight

Waves crash into the promenade in the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool as Britain is hit by severe weather

Waves crash into the promenade in the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool as Britain is hit by severe weather

A car in snowy conditions near Snowden Hill in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, today as the country is hit by the white stuff

A car in snowy conditions near Snowden Hill in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, today as the country is hit by the white stuff

Moffat Mountain Rescue Team attended and checked on drivers stuck in their vehicles on the M74 in Lanarkshire this morning

Moffat Mountain Rescue Team attended and checked on drivers stuck in their vehicles on the M74 in Lanarkshire this morning

A gritter in snowy conditions near Snowden Hill in Sheffield today as snow and ice warnings are in place for northern England

A gritter in snowy conditions near Snowden Hill in Sheffield today as snow and ice warnings are in place for northern England

Traffic Scotland closed parts of the motorway in Lanarkshire in both directions early this morning due to the wintry conditions

Traffic Scotland closed parts of the motorway in Lanarkshire in both directions early this morning due to the wintry conditions

Snow in Shawlands on the south side of Glasgow today as Police Scotland warned of 'extremely poor' travel conditions

Snow in Shawlands on the south side of Glasgow today as Police Scotland warned of ‘extremely poor’ travel conditions

All prelim exams scheduled to take place in North Lanarkshire secondary schools on Thursday have also been postponed.

Public Health England issued cold weather alerts and health warnings in light of the cold weather, urging people to take extra care.

The Met Office amber warning advises that travel disruption is likely, with a risk that some vehicles may be stranded.

The warning, which runs from 9pm on Wednesday until 5am on Thursday, says that 3-8cm of fresh snow is likely to accumulate widely, with up to 20cm over high ground.

Yellow ‘be aware’ warnings of snow and ice for much of the country are valid until Friday. 

Snow and ice have led to dangerous driving conditions in Shawlands on the south side of Glasgow this morning

Snow and ice have led to dangerous driving conditions in Shawlands on the south side of Glasgow this morning

Heavy snow in Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire, today as motorists faced treacherous conditions across the country

Heavy snow in Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire, today as motorists faced treacherous conditions across the country

Cars, roads, pavements and houses are covered in a layer of snow as the white stuff falls today in Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire

Cars, roads, pavements and houses are covered in a layer of snow as the white stuff falls today in Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire

Snow ploughs work the runway at Leeds Bradford Airport in West Yorkshire to clear it for aircraft

Snow ploughs work the runway at Leeds Bradford Airport in West Yorkshire to clear it for aircraft

People go out walking their dogs on a bitterly cold morning today in Clayfield Copse, Berkshire

People go out walking their dogs on a bitterly cold morning today in Clayfield Copse, Berkshire

A passer-by attempts to tow a stuck ambulance in Halifax, West Yorkshire,  last night after snow and ice fell in the area

A passer-by attempts to tow a stuck ambulance in Halifax, West Yorkshire, last night after snow and ice fell in the area



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