DEEP FREEZE
BRITS have been asked to bunker down for a -15C deep freeze tonight after "biblical' snow blanketed the UK and caused travel chaos.
It was a day of delays, cancellations and overall disruption for much of the country following the first decent dumping of snow this season.
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Travellers were forced to turn back home after more than four inches of snow fell overnight while scores of train services were cancelled.
And drivers taking to Britain's roads faced gridlock conditions.
Roads in Eastern and South East England are among the worst hit by the snow.
Snow has caused significant disruption to newspapers printed by Newsprinters - including The Sun and The Times.
MORE ON WEATHER
Met Office forecasters issued several yellow weather warnings for snow, ice and fog across Britain for Monday, set to continue through to Thursday.
And the Met Office fears the weather could get worse as a band of snow and ice is set to push down through Scotland from Tuesday sparking a yellow weather warning.
The snow and sleet will continue across the North and East with the rest of the country experiencing frost overnight and freezing fog.
Braemar in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, recorded the UK's coldest temperature at -15.6C last night - the chilliest night of the year so far.
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And tonight the Scottish town of Grantown-on-Spey is set to hit -15.
It comes as...
- Schools shut and asked kids to stay at home and stay warm
- Brits were left fuming after Deliveroo drivers failed to deliver breakfasts in the snow
- Severe weather disrupted newspaper deliveries of The Sun
- Three boys, aged 8, 10 & 11, are dead after ‘falling through ice’ in Solihull with six-year-old critical
- Despite the tragedy, two girls were spotted playing on a frozen lake just hours later
- And a full list emerged of major energy suppliers that will pay Brits to turn off their appliances
The mercury is also set to plunge to -10C in the coming days making the UK colder than Finland - where temperatures will linger at the -6C mark towards the end of the week.
Finland is where Santa Claus' homeland of Lapland is found.
Earlier today, homeowners were told they would be paid £4 per kilowatt hour to switch off their appliances as part of the "demand flexibility service".
Energy firms payed customers to cut energy usage during the surge 5pm to 7pm slot tonight, branded "Peak Save".
The Electricity Systems Operator is running its fifth trial of the scheme today, an event that was previously scheduled and Brits will be unable to take part in if if they have not already signed up.
British Gas, Octopus Energy and Ovo Energy have all confirmed that they will be taking part in the pilot run.
The cold snap is also set to continue into next week, the Met Office warned.
Motorists were stuck in standstill traffic on the M25 early this morning as snow brought delays of nearly three hours, one motorist said.
National Highways said the carriageway will be "cleared and treated as soon as possible".
Other roads in the area with long delays include the M11, M2, A21, A27 and A249, according to National Highways.
National Highways said the A1(M) northbound is closed between J7 and J8 after an HGV burst into flames sparking yet more carnage.
Due to severe weather in the South East, there has been significant disruption to the overnight distribution of newspapers printed by Newsprinters in Broxbourne. Newspaper delivery in many parts of the south of the country may be disrupted or delayed.
Titles affected include The Sun and The Times.
Please call The Sun's customer service hotline for help on 0207 860 1129.
Video from Sunday night showed cars stranded between junction 24-25 on the M25 motorway - all lanes have since reopened.
Darren Clark - severe weather resilience manager at National Highways - said gritters would be out to keep motorways and major A-roads open.
He said: "National Highways is committed to treating every road which needs to be treated - whenever it is needed."
Police also reported a 200% increase in 999 calls last night during the "inclement weather", seeing them urgently send a reminder.
Essex police wrote: "If it is not an emergency and the incident you wish to speak to us about is not happening right now, please do not call 999.
"Instead, you can report this online or call us on 101."
It comes as a landlord was forced to lay out mattresses after 40 people, including babies and kids, were forced to abandon their cars.
Dr Alexandra Loske was one of those sheltering at the Bear Inn near Burwash, East Sussex, telling the BBC the scene was "biblical".
But pub manager Pauline Wilson, 38, said the atmosphere was fantastic as guests guzzled hot chocolate and chowed down pigs in blankets.
London Gatwick Airport says flights are operational and the airport remains open despite freezing weather causing some delays and cancellation.
While London Stansted Airport says it remains "fully open and operational" but asks passengers to contact airlines for further flight information.
And, as a result of the "adverse weather conditions", all flights had been suspended.
Emirates passengers at Gatwick Airport were found sleeping in the corridors early on Monday after flights were cancelled due to snow.
Schools are also being forced to shut due to the freezing weather - find out if your kids are affected here.
Meanwhile, Brits in the South East were being asked not to travel unless essential due to the heavy snow.
Police have also reported an "unusually high number of crashes" as yellow weather warnings remain in place for much of the UK until this morning.
Met Office chief meteorologist, Steve Willington, said: “It is staying cold with daytime temperatures remaining only a few degrees above freezing in many places over the coming days.
"Overnight temperatures dropping to -10C or lower in isolated spots.
"Although below average, these temperatures are not that unusual for this time of year.
“There is still a risk we could see some freezing fog in places particularly southern England, especially for Sunday and Monday mornings.
"And there is also a small risk of a band of sleet or snow moving into the far Southeast on Sunday.
"If this happens it could potentially bring some disruption, especially to rush hour on Monday.”
The UKHSA is advising people to look out for friends and family who are vulnerable in the cold and to ensure they have access to warm food and drinks.
Although below average, these temperatures are not that unusual for this time of year.
Steve Willington
It stressed people should maintain indoor temperatures of at least 18C.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, consultant in public health medicine at UKHSA, said: "Cold weather can have serious consequences for health and older people and those with heart or lung conditions can be particularly at risk.
"If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"In rooms you mostly use such as the living room or bedroom, try to heat them to at least 18C if you can.
"Keep your bedroom windows closed at night. Wearing several layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thicker layer."
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