Weather Warnings Issued as Big Freeze Is Set To Engulf Whole of Britain

THE MET office has issued weather warnings telling much of the UK to be prepared as the big freeze spreads across Britain.

Forecasters are now predicting snowfall and subzero temperatures in almost every corner of the country. 

As a result the Met Office is telling residents in much of the UK to be prepared today while the South West region and parts of Wales look pretty much safe today with no weather warnings issued.

But this is set to change as the Freezing Arctic conditions that have paralysed much of Scotland and the North East have now spread to the Midlands.

This region has seen two inches of snow during the early hours, Birmingham and parts of Gloucestershire and Sussex also experienced fresh falls as the band of wintry snow headed south.

The snow is expected to reach parts of Wales, the South East and London later today.

Gemma Plumb, forecaster for MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "Almost everywhere in the UK will reach minus temperatures and have some sleet or snow showers today.

"There will be heavy snow showers in the South East across Kent, Hampshire, Essex and London, with five to eight cm falling on higher ground."

Schools across the UK have been forced to close due to the snow but at present North Somerset remains mainly unaffected with most schools still open as usual.

The only closure at present is the Larch Centre in Weston due to the heating not working.

To keep informed of any closures visit the council's closures page.