UK weather: Flurries of snowfall seen in Brighton and South Downs as icy blast strikes Britain

Hello and welcome to The Independent's weather liveblog as the UK sees its first winter snowfall of the season.

The first snow struck northern England, Wales and Scotland yesterday and overnight, with Cumbria and Derbyshire experiencing the worst of it.

So far today Brighton and Devil's Dyke in the South Downs of Sussex have been hit and the icy conditions are set to take hold over the coming days.

Here's the latest update on the situation from The Independent's Tom Barnes:

The Met Office has some advice for the coming cold spell:

Motorists have been warned of hazardous driving conditions on the Pennines between Lancashire and Yorkshire, with the Snake Pass between Manchester and Sheffield among the main roads covered in a blanket of snow.

Gritters were sent out on Tuesday afternoon in Derbyshire as snow began to settle, with patrols on the roads throughout the night on other routes including the Woodhead Pass and the Cat and Fiddle near Macclesfield.

If you think the erratic mixture of hill snow, showers and sunshine we're currently experiencing in the UK is unpleasant, spare a thought for New Yorkers.

Americans on the country's Eastern Seaboard are preparing to sit down for their coldest Thanksgiving Day since 1901 tomorrow, with a maximum temperature of -3 forecast. Brrr!

Those braving the elements to witness the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade through Manhattan will have particular cause to wrap up warm.

You can read more about the historic pageant here:

A cold night with clear skies is forecast for Wednesday evening, with a widespread frost across the UK and more chilly weather for the weekend.

The AA warned drivers to take extra care as the weather conditions deteriorate.

George Flinton, AA Patrol of the Year, said: "The first really cold snap of winter can catch drivers unaware, putting them at risk.

"Preparation is key. Drivers should allow extra time for journeys, make sure their cars are clear of snow and ice before setting off and ensure they take warm clothes, food and drinks with them in case of unexpected delays.

"They should also make sure they drive to the conditions. So, allow extra space between vehicles and keep speeds down."