UK weather: White-out UK! Satellite map shows how most of Britain is covered by snow as 30-minute storm hits Norfolk causing spate of accidents
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More than half of Britain was covered in snow as fresh band of storms struck the East Coast - causing chaos in Norfolk
Eastern areas bore the brunt of the snowfall today with 42 schools closing in Norfolk, all planes grounded at Norwich International Airport and a six-vehicle pile-up on the A11 leaving three people with injuries.
A woman suffered head injuries and there were two other casualties on the A11 near the village of Larling - and there were five other incidents on roads in the county, ambulance officials said.
Under an umbrella: Snow falls near to the Red Mount in King's Lynn, Norfolk, (left) as the area was blanketed today. This gritter was spotted stranded in a ditch (right)
Beautiful scene: A picture postcard cottage in the snow at Castle Rising in King's Lynn, Norfolk
Through the arch: Wintry scenes at the Church of St Lawrence in Castle Rising, King's Lynn, Norfolk
It looks a lot like Christmas: This beautiful picture of St Peter & Paul Church in Bergh Apton, Norfolk, was sent in by MailOnline reader Liz Tubby
No go areas: There were road delays across Norwich at 3pm (in red) as motorists faced hazardous conditions
Coming down: MailOnline reader Ojay Nwosu took this picture of snow falling today in Norwich, Norfolk
Snaps: These two photos were taken by Mail Online readers - Andie H captured the scene in his garden in Derbyshire (left), while Hollie White, 20, a University of East Anglia student, took this photo (right) in Norwich
Fun: The Franks family on holiday from Worcestershire enjoy the snow in Roseberry Topping, North Yorkshire
Beautiful: The snowfall in Saltwell Park, Gateshead, produced a winter wonderland scene in the North East
Picture postcard: Drystone walls mark out a patchwork of snow covered fields in Swaledale, North Yorkshire
SHOPPERS GO FOR TRADITIONAL BRITISH WINTER WARMING FOOD
Traditional British winter warming food such as stews, toad in the hole and spotted dick are topping shopping lists as the UK stocks up for the arrival of winter weather.
Among big sellers at Tesco supermarkets over the last few days have been casserole ingredients such as lamb and stewing beef with root vegetables, plus old favourites like bangers and mash and cottage pie.
Lamb sales are up 500 per cent compared to the same week last year, while stewing beef is up 200 per cent, cauliflower up 100 per cent, broccoli 90 per cent and carrots 80 per cent.
Tesco vegetables buying manager Steve Williams said: ‘Judging by our sales over the last few days Brits are fighting the bitter winter cold fuelled on classic hearty food.’
But it was police in the town of Crook in County Durham who caused consternation after warning youngsters they could be arrested for throwing snowballs at cars, homes or people who do not want to be involved in games.
The Crook Neighbourhood Police Team was accused of 'sucking the fun from everything' after putting the message out on Facebook.
The Met Office recorded snow depths of 8cm (3in) in Norfolk and Suffolk this morning as the snow continued to fall.
The lowest temperature recorded overnight was minus 5.7C (22F) at Altnaharra in the Scottish Highlands, the Met Office said.
Most of the country was dealing with temperatures of around 0C-1C (32F-34F) and the cold snap is set to continue, according to John Lee, forecaster for MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association.
Many areas will dry out by tomorrow but there is a chance that snow could return to most of Britain on Friday, with some potentially heavy falls in central and eastern areas.
'This afternoon we have got some fairly heavy snow showers running down the North Sea coast but they are fairly scattered, but eastern areas are seeing some fairly heavy snowfalls,' Mr Lee said.
'Going into tonight those snow showers down the east of the country are going to become more isolated.
'Many areas will be dry tonight. With the light winds and low temperatures there is also potential for freezing fog.
Thanks to our readers who have emailed in photos of the snow. Send us your pictures and where they were taken to: mailonlinepictures@dailymail.co.uk
VIDEO Snow hits much of the country as temperature is set to plummet
Three-day forecast: Much of Britain will be clear for the next few days, although more snow is expected
Snowfall: This weather map shows the intensity of precipitation across East Anglia and up the East coast today
What goes up must come down: A woman pulls a sledge up a hill in Flash, Staffordshire, as the winter weather continues across the UK
Not moving: A bogged down police car was stuck on the snow-covered grass in Leeds, West Yorkshire
Slippery surface: Icy conditions made driving hazardous on the B3358 near Challacombe, Devon. No one was hurt but the vehicle was precariously resting on a hedge on the edge of Exmoor
Sweeping scenery: A patchwork of snow-covered homes in Reeth, Swaledale, North Yorkshire
Wintry scene: This picture was sent in by MailOnline reader Adrian Jones, and shows Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, alongside the Grand Union Canal near the town centre
Safely grazing: Sheep in a snowy field in Upper Eden Valley, Cumbria, after much of the country was blanketed
Caught on camera: Photographer Simon Phillpotts yesterday captured a family of red squirrels darting about in the freshly fallen snow near Hawes, North Yorkshire, looking frantically for somewhere to hide their nuts
He added:'Central and eastern parts of the UK will be prone to that but it is uncertain at the moment.
'Tomorrow we will have dry and sunny spells. This time it seems to be in the west that there is an area of rain pushing into Northern Ireland and western Scotland, and this could turn to snow in western Scotland as it pushes further inland.
'There are signs that it will turn more unsettled into Thursday and Friday with increased wind and Atlantic weather systems pushing in.
'If that happens we could see some fairly heavy snowfalls and the majority of the UK will get some snow - eastern areas are slightly more prone with the cold weather.
'There is the possibility of some good snowfall in central and eastern areas.
'Today a lot of places haven’t got above freezing. Coastal areas got up to 3C or 4C but inland most areas were around 0C or 1C. That is expected to continue.'
The Met Office has seven yellow warnings of severe weather, namely snow, in place.
The bad weather continued to cause havoc on transport networks.
The AA reported 7,700 breakdowns by lunchtime today, around 1,000 an hour, with East Anglia and Essex the busiest regions.
Darron Burness of the AA said motorists should take measures to stop cars getting flat batteries.
'The main problem is flat or failed batteries, as the car’s electrical system has to work much harder in the cold.
'When you get in your car, switch off all the electrics before starting it - for example, blowers, lights and heated windscreen - and dip the clutch while starting to take some of the load off the starter motor and, in turn, the battery,' he said.
This morning, the Highways Agency warned motorists to take extra care on slippery and icy roads.
The agency has a 500-strong fleet of salt spreaders and snow ploughs on standby should there be a heavy dump of snow or heavily iced roads.
The sub-zero temperatures and increased heating bills mean there are concerns that the number of deaths this winter could top the 24,000 in the relatively mild 2011-12 winter, the Local Government Association said.
The RAC said they were expecting 16% more breakdowns than the 7,500 they would normally expect on a Tuesday in winter - meaning the figure could approach 9,000 by the end of the day.
A spokesman said the busiest area was East Anglia.
Protection: As heavy snow fell on Saltburn in Cleveland, the notorious Saltburn Bank became almost impassable. Here an unlucky driver hit the railing and avoided going over the edge
Ruff weather: MailOnline reader Rebecca Smith sent this photo of her dogs playing in the snow in Bedfordshire
Breaking through: A MailOnline reader took this photo in North Yorkshire, between Scarborough and Whitby
Sent in: MailOnline reader Geoff Nicholson also took this beautiful snow photo in North Yorkshire
Pretty: More snow overnight resulted in a beautiful winter wonderland this morning in Colchester, Essex
Sun comes up: MailOnline reader John Clipperton sent us this sunrise photo from near Chester, Cheshire. You can email us your photos to: mailonlinepictures@dailymail.co.uk. Please include where they were taken
Snap: This red squirrel showed its fascination with photography when it braved the snow to climb all over a set of cameras. Wildlife photographer Giedrius Stakauskas captured the moment in the Yorkshire Dales
DON'T FORGET THE BIRDS OUTSIDE
While you’re feeling all cosy in the warm inside, spare a thought for the birds in your garden.
That's the message from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, which is advising wildlife lovers to make sure their bird feeders and tables are full of high-energy foods.
An RSPB spokesman said: ’The sudden drop in temperatures across the UK will have been a big shock to birds’ systems. Birds will need all the help they can get to survive the winter.’
The charity suggests foods such as mixed seed, fat balls, suet sprinkles and peanuts.
The Highways Agency warned motorists to take extra care on slippery and icy roads. The agency has 500 salt spreaders and snow ploughs ready if there is heavy snow or heavily-iced roads.
Steve Crosthwaite, head of the National Traffic Operations Centre, said: ‘During severe winter weather we ask drivers to check road conditions and the weather forecast before setting out.
‘If conditions are poor, and journeys are not essential, we advise drivers to think about delaying until conditions improve and allowing our winter fleet the chance to treat the roads.’
Sub-zero temperatures expected this week and raised heating bills have raised concerns that the number of deaths this winter could top the 24,000 in the relatively mild 2011-2012 winter.
The Local Government Association urged people to look out for their neighbours and said council teams are helping the vulnerable, with emergency repairs and delivering hot meals and heaters.
Sub-zero temperatures expected this week and raised heating bills have raised concerns that the number of deaths this winter could top the 24,000 in the relatively mild 2011-2012 winter.
The Local Government Association urged people to look out for their neighbours and said council teams are helping the vulnerable, with emergency repairs and delivering hot meals and heaters.
However Cllr David Rogers, chairman of the LGA's community wellbeing board, said: ‘But council staff can't be everywhere. They rely on community-spirited residents to look out for each other.'
He added: ‘We are calling on neighbours, postmen, milkmen and paperboys to step up and help save lives by knocking on doors and reporting anything out of the ordinary.’
That looks chilly! Members of the Serpentine Swimming Club brave the cold weather for an early morning dip in the Serpentine in Hyde Park, central London, as temperatures hang around freezing
Amazing scene: Dawn breaks over a snowy landscape overlooking the Peak District near Hartington, Derbyshire
Still riding: Racehorses take to Middleham Moor in North Yorkshire, on the training gallops covered in snow
Snow-covered: Mail Online reader Rob Roan sent in this photo of the Denton Church ruin in Cambridgeshire
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