UK weather: Snow and ice across country causes major travel disruption - as it happened

The frosty conditions have already led to car crashes and flight cancellations

Snow covered much of the country overnight, including Aberystwyth in west Wales (Keith Morris/LNP)

Treacherous conditions on Britain’s roads led to car accidents and travel disruptions as heavy snow fell overnight across the UK.

Crashes were reported as drivers were warned to take extra care during the morning rush hour. Snow and ice caused difficult conditions on the roads, particularly in northern areas.

This week is set to be one of the coldest of the year so far – temperatures are set to drop even further overnight, with parts of Scotland and Northern England possibly falling to -11C.

Flights have also been affected, with more than 70 cancelled yesterday and more disruptions expected today.

A multi-vehicle collision on the icy M5 near Stroud has been reported by Gloucestershire Police. Meanwhile, two lorries got stuck on the A6075 between Kirton and Walesby according to Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.

This live blog is now closed.

Key Points

• There are a number of school closures in Wales due to severe weather
• Drivers are warned to take extra care after crash on M5
• Met Office has issued weather warnings for snow and ice across much of the country

[6 February 2018 14:28 · Alina Polianskaya]

Here is the latest update on the roads tonight, from Highways England Weather Watch:

"Through Tuesday night, light snow is expected across central and then south-eastern areas.

"Snow across northern East Anglia may see some heavier outbreaks, which may lead to some very difficult and slippery driving conditions, with up to 2-4cm possible on untreated side roads by dawn. In addition to this, wintry showers will continue to affect Cornwall.

"To the northwest, it will be a clear and very cold night."

[6 February 2018 14:44 · Alina Polianskaya]

Snowy rooftops in Newcastle today. 

[6 February 2018 14:52 · Alina Polianskaya]

A number of emergency shelters for rough sleepers have been opened across the capital, said London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

As temperatures plummet further tonight, conditions on the streets will be freezing.

People in England and Wales can use StreetLink to connect rough sleepers to support services. 

[6 February 2018 15:00 · Alina Polianskaya]

Snowy showers are still moving eastward, the Met Office says, but more are on the way for the northwest too. 

[6 February 2018 15:47 · Alina Polianskaya]

Commuters may need to scrape ice from their windscreens before heading home tonight, the Met Office warned ahead of this evening's rush hour. 

[6 February 2018 17:36 · Jon Sharman]

As the UK braces for a cold snap, visitors to the Eiffel Tower in Paris were left disappointed.

The landmark was forced to close because of snow.

Twenty-eight French départements have been placed on orange weather alerts.

[6 February 2018 19:28 · Chris Baynes]

Temperatures could plummet as low as -12C overnight in the Cairngorms, Scotland, according to forecasters.

But a bitter wind chill will make it feel like -19C, said the Weather Channel.

Met Office snow and ice warnings are in force in western Scotland, Wales and England, the south-east, and Northern Ireland.

[6 February 2018 20:42 · Chris Baynes]

That's it for now, folks - we're wrapping up this live blog. 

Make sure to wrap yourselves up warm if you're heading out tonight on what promises to be bitterly cold night.