UK weather Met Office issues 'danger to life' snow warning as freezing temperatures forecast to intensify
Follow how the day unfolded
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Your support makes all the difference.The UK has had its coldest night of the winter so far as the cold snap continues to cause icy conditions across the country.
Loch Glascarnoch in Scotland was the coldest spot in Britain as temperatures dipped to a staggering -13.6C.
The freezing temperatures have led to weather warnings being issued by the Met Office for snow, ice and fog on Thursday and into Friday.
Further travel disruption is expected, which you can follow on our sister blog.
Follow how the day unfolded:
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Hello and welcome to The Independent's coverage of day three of the big freeze.
All four countries in the United Kingdom set new records for the 2018/2019 winter overnight.
Loch Glascarnoch in Scotland was coldest at -13.6C; Sennybridge in Powys, Wales, dropped to -9.3C; Katesbridge in Northern Ireland fell to -8.2C while Redesdale Camp, Northumberland, recorded temperatures of -10.4C. Brrr!
Met Office forecaster Mark Wilson said the cold temperatures were due to stick around.
"It's been a very, very cold night. On Thursday night we could see similar temperatures in Scotland, but Northern Ireland, England and Wales probably won't be quite as cold.
"Saturday night into Sunday could also be very cold."
Yesterday's travel disruption is set to continue.
Southeastern Trains said 21 services were being cancelled or altered on Thursday morning to minimise the impact of ice forming on the rails and ensure lines were clear and that it would run its "winter weather timetable" on Friday due to the forecast.
Manchester and Liverpool airports were brought to a standstill on Wednesday morning and several schools closed across the UK due to the harsh conditions.
Mr Wilson said central England and Wales could bear the brunt of the snow on Thursday afternoon and into the evening as wet weather coming through the south-west England turns wintry, with some places seeing up to 4 inches of snow.
Yellow weather warnings for ice are in place in north western Scotland and the Northern and Western Isles, alerting travellers to be wary of slippery roads.
A similar warning is in place for north west England, south west England, Wales, Yorkshire and The Humber.
The Midlands, east of England, Greater London and the south of England should also beware of fog making driving on icy roads even more complicated on Thursday morning.
A yellow warning for snow is also in place across large swathes of England and is due to remain in place until late on Friday night.
Most of Scotland should also be prepared for snowfall, the Met Office warned.
As the day develops, the frost and freezing fog seen this morning is set to give way to warmer sunshine, bringing some timely relief from the oppressive chill.
Some news outlets are suggesting this morning that a band of sleet sweeping into south western England from the Atlantic during this evening's rush hour will lead to central areas suffering a "TEN-HOUR" hammering with snow, requiring the Army to be on standby.
The Met Office are, naturally, taking a more measured stance.
Here's Samuel Osborne with the latest round-up.
Luke the Labrador is clearly loving it.
A couple of choice winter scenes from this morning.
These PA shots were taken at Basingstoke Common in Hampshire, Mudchute Farm on the Isle of Dogs and Oakham in the East Midlands respectively.
An update this morning from Southeastern Rail, which will be running a winter weather timetable on Friday due to the inclement conditions.
The severe weather is meanwhile also causing disruption to Northern Rail services between Meadowhall and Rotherham Central and Ellesmere Port and Helsby this morning.
"Where services are affected, and where possible, we will arrange road transport for customers on affected routes, but conditions make this difficult in some locations," says Northern on its website.
"All customers are advised to check before they travel as the wintry conditions are forecast to remain throughout the next few days."
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