Roads gridlocked, airports closed and more snow forecast for next week

Britons have been warned to keep their shovels at hand as the snow and ice will continue to wreak havoc for days.

The Daily Mail reports that by last night, airports had shut down, schools closed their doors and roads were gridlocked as 10 inches of snow was reported in parts of Wales, 3.5 inches fell in the Midlands and Wiltshire and 3 inches was recorded in North London.

Met Office chief forecaster Frank Saunders told the newspaper: 'Although some further snowfalls are likely, the focus switches to ice, with temperatures staying below zero over snow cover for many areas.'

The AA has advised that the continued icy temperatures and compacting snow could prove lethal for drivers and warned of 'treacherous driving conditions throughout the weekend' with any fresh snow on top just adding to the problems.

Just two inches of snow at Heathrow Airport was enough for a runway to be closed and 400 flights to be cancelled by the late afternoon.

In Birmingham, drivers reported 15-minute journeys taking six times longer and temperatures plummeted as low as minus 3C, with Warwickshire, Pershore and Worcestershire among the coldest locations.

And it doesn't look like we've seen the worst of the weather as more snow, frost and ice is forecast for the weekend and next week.

Leon Brown of The Weather Channel told AOL Travel snow showers are expected this weekend, especially over the east, but some over the Midlands and also over London, with 1-3cm possible and up to 10cm over higher parts of East Scotland and northeast England.

Mr Brown said it will 'remain very cold with severe frosts next week.'

'We may see temperatures of minus 15 to minus 20C later in the week,' he said.

'There will be some more sleet and snow over the southwest and central Britain on Monday, and snow showers in the east again on Tuesday, while another band of sleet and snow moves over parts of southwest England.

But not much snow after Tuesday is expected and 'the main focus will be severe night frosts.'

Forecaster Charlie Powell of the Met Office told the Express: 'Saying there is an ice risk almost everywhere sounds over the top, but there is, and it will continue well into next week as lying snow thaws and refreezes.

'The ice risk is the worst this winter and more widespread ice than last winter. Road users and pedestrians should take extra care.'

This weekend last year was very mild with temperatures of 10 to 12C in the UK.

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