Temperatures in parts of UK may plummet to -10C

Heavy snowfall across the UK has sparked travel chaos, forcing several major airports to cancel and delay flights following an amber weather warning.

Up to 30cm of snow was recorded near the Welsh border on Sunday (10 December), which is the UK's record. Cornwall and Devon are being battered by 70 mph winds, reaching 90 mph across the English Channel.

In Scotland and parts of Wales, temperatures are expected to reach lows of -10C (14F).

Weather warnings have been issued for gale force winds of 80 mph across southern England and flights, train and road travel are expected to be severely disrupted.

An amber warning for snow has been extended to Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex.

Several planes were unable to land at Luton airport due to the extreme weather conditions. At 11.30am Luton reopened its runways, but only for departing flights, leaving arriving planes without anywhere to land.

Flights to and from Birmingham airport were grounded for several hours while staff worked to clear the runways.

London City Airport warned passengers to expect delays but said they were "doing [their] best" to get back on schedule.

Drivers are being warned to clear the snow off the top of their cars as failing to do so could land them a £60 fine, according to section 229 of the Highway code which outlines guidelines for driving in adverse weather conditions.

Drivers must "remove all snow that might fall off into the path of other road users" to avoid putting other road-users in danger, according to the rule.

"If snow on the roof of your car falls off onto your windscreen, or flies into the path of another car, then you could find yourself in trouble which was completely avoidable," Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, told The Sun.

"If you can, parking in a garage or somewhere undercover can save you time as well as keeping you in the warm a bit longer," he said.

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