UK weather forecast: Snow up to 10cm deep to bury Britain after -14C deep freeze

Heavy snow will fall across the UK for at least three more days as a new winter storm threatens to cut off villages and leave drivers stranded on impassable roads.

Britons are bracing for what will likely be the coldest night of winter - with temperatures plunging to -14C - before the new blast of snow dumps up to 10cm.


Commuters in western and northern parts of the country were facing travel chaos on Wednesday as snow and dangerous black ice caused treacherous road conditions.

Snow or wintry showers will taper off in most places through the day, but "hidden" ice will remain a major threat as temperatures remain cold.

Overnight, it could plunge to -14C in rural parts of Scotland before another blast of heavy snow hits on Thursday and carries over into Friday, with further wintry showers expected through the weekend.

Britons have been urged to stock up on food and prepare for another Arctic blast that will bring "very significant snowfall" - up to 10cm (4ins) - from Thursday afternoon.

Snow and ice warnings remain in place across all of the UK except a small sliver in the north.

The brutal conditions were causing major problems in western and northern regions on Wednesday.

Manchester and Liverpool airports closed their runways, dozens of schools were closed, and dozens of 

Wednesday got off to a chilly start with widespread ice and frost, and wintry showers in the north and west.

The Met Office warned: "Wintry showers will follow into western areas on Wednesday morning, giving further slight accumulations of snow in a few places.

"Ice is likely on some untreated surfaces."

Highways England tweeted: "Take extra care driving in the North West this morning as there are some challenging weather conditions with @metoffice warnings for snow. Our winter vehicles are out treating road surfaces so please give them plenty of room."

Skies will clear later in the day and a frost will return quickly in the evening, the Met Office said.

Wintry showers will persist over northern Scotland but will gradually die out elsewhere.

Wednesday night will be very cold with icy stretches and patchy freezing fog, as temperatures plunge to about -10C.

Another blast of snow will hit on Thursday, with up to 10cm possible in parts of southern England.