Warnings as snow turns to ice
People in Bristol are being warned to take extra care as the snow turns to ice, creating more problems on the roads.
Snow is falling on other parts of the UK today as winter storms moved north.
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But areas including Bristol hit by yesterday's snow – the heaviest for 18 years – are likely to remain hazardous as snow turns to ice.
There are speed restrictions put in place on the M32 motorway today, after a car collided with the central reservation and another vehicle.
No-one was injured but police put a 15mph restriction on the outbound carriageway between junctions 3 St Paul's, and junction 2 Eastville.
The crash happened just after 9am this morning.
Children across Britain will get another day off school after thousands of schools and colleges were shut yesterday.
The Met Office has issued an extreme weather warning to motorists across the UK to beware of icy roads and drifting or heavy snow.
Claire Austin, forecaster from MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "Today northern England and Scotland will be having lots of snow, mainly on higher ground, with sleet and rain elsewhere.
"The snow will also come to west Wales and south-west England.
"As the day goes on northern England will get drier but the rain will stay in Scotland and fall as snow over higher ground. Northern Ireland will stay wet.
"Wales and south-west England will have wintry showers with a mixture of sleet, snow and a bit of hail. The rest of the country will stay pretty much dry."
Rail and air passengers are also being advised to check with their operators before travelling.
A spokesman for Network Rail, which owns and runs Britain's rail infrastructure, said there would be "a much better service" into London than the one which operated yesterday.
Despite the dangerous driving conditions in the South, London's public transport situation was in better shape today, with most bus services and tube lines operating normally.
One snapshot survey of more than 300 employers found one in five adults stayed away from work because of the weather.
On the roads, police warned of "treacherous" conditions and navigation firm TomTom said there were more than 1,000 miles of jams around the country, with one of the longest being 53.8 miles on the M25 between junction 19 at Watford and junction 8 at Reigate. Drivers were delayed for more than two-and-a-half hours.
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by KB, Bristol, England
Wednesday, February 04 2009, 2:08PM
“"drive a little slower," Nikita, you forgot to mention "Clear your windcsreens and side windows BEFORE you start your journey. It might get through to the multitude of blockheads out there who did neither this morning”
by gerry, bristol
Wednesday, February 04 2009, 6:27AM
“When i was a lad i walked two miles to school, teachers walked to school and the schools were never closed.
In the 60's when we had bad snow councils used to recruit farmers to help clear the snow and council workers cleared footpathes around shops and elderly peoples houses, dont see any of that now.”
by John B, Bristol.
Tuesday, February 03 2009, 5:32PM
“NIGEL,actually Cars as such were around in the late 1890's.
My Small car is essential due to health reasons so I took heed of the weather warnings and stocked up a bit on food.so i've no need to risk it travelling in this weather,even locally.”
by Bloated Mo, Bristol
Tuesday, February 03 2009, 4:44PM
“Sorry it's taken so long to write any more comments on here but I had to walk to the kitchen to make my 3rd fry-up of the day (mmmm, grease) and I was fair worn out so needed 40 winks to let the fat drain through. Anyway, can't be bothered to right any more now as Fat Dave'll be home for his dinner soon so I need to walk all the way back to the kitchen and warm up the deep fat fryer for his Mars bar and chips.”
by Nikita, Bristol
Tuesday, February 03 2009, 3:04PM
“Can we all just stop moaning and try to get on with it? drive a little slower, and you might have to leave home for work a little earlier, either by foot (which I did do) or bike, bus or car ( I know!!) Look it's thawing out already . Awwwwww. If the north and Scotland cope, so can we . .”
by Louise, Portishead
Tuesday, February 03 2009, 2:26PM
“It's all very well saying walk, but where we live, it was even too dangerous to do that!
My eldest son is disabled so has to be driven about and it was quite dodgy at places this morning, but as long as everyone has a bit of common sense by driving slowly and carefully, it should be fine! The majority of those involved in these accidents are more often than not driving like idiots in the first place.”
by nigel, downend
Tuesday, February 03 2009, 2:08PM
“"God gave us cars" What planet are you on? No.
Cars were created by man back in the 1920s.
IF you believe in God - then Mo should have said "God gave us legs to walk"
It's alright - we won't be getting snow in winter much longer as the cars will heat up the planet and our great great grandchildren will blame us for it!”
by Mo-bese, Pizza Hut
Tuesday, February 03 2009, 1:40PM
“That is correct. We dont.”
by Fat Mo, KFC, Winterstoke Road
Tuesday, February 03 2009, 1:38PM
“Let it be said on record, that no Mo will walk if we can help it. God gave us cars so we use them.”
by James S, Bristol
Tuesday, February 03 2009, 1:34PM
“Wesbob,
Dunno about that; most of the cyclepaths I saw this morning were iced right up - better the gritted road than a slidefest cyclepath.”