UK travel news - LIVE: Snow and ice cause road closures and flight cancellations across Britain

Despite heavy snowfall around Ireland West Airport, which serves western Ireland, the airport is open and operational. 

However, further snow is expected throughout the day and the airport advises passengers to contact their airline for the latest flight information.

There are currently clear conditions at London Heathrow Airport, the UK's busiest hub, but snow is forecast across southern England later today.

There are snowploughs on hand at the airport to keep things moving.

There are yellow warnings for snow and ice in place across Scotland, with ice and wintry showers expected to continue across the country.

Traffic Scotland is warning residents that some roads and railways are likely to be affected by longer journey times, and there could be ice on some untreated roads and cycle paths.

Leave more time for your journey if you're travelling in Scotland today.

The Met Office has updated its weather warning for today (31 January) and tomorrow (1 February).

There is an amber warning for snow in place for western England between 2pm and 9pm today. The weather agency advises that travel delays are likely, "stranding some vehicles and passengers". It adds that delays and cancellations to rail travel are likely.

Meanwhile, yellow warnings for combinations of snow, ice and fog blanket the rest of the UK.

If you're travelling today, allow extra time for your journey and check with your transport provider before you travel.

Credit: The Met Office

What do the Met Office's weather warnings actually mean?

There are currently yellow warnings for ice, snow and fog in place across the UK, with an amber warning active from 2pm until 9pm across western England today.

Here's what the Met Office says:

"Yellow Warning: Yellow warnings can be issued for a range of weather situations. Many are issued when it is likely that the weather will cause some low level impacts, including some disruption to travel in a few places. Many people may be able to continue with their daily routine, but there will be some that will be directly impacted and so it is important to assess if you could be affected. Other yellow warnings are issued when the weather could bring much more severe impacts to the majority of people but the certainty of those impacts occurring is much lower. It is important to read the content of yellow warnings to determine which weather situation is being covered by the yellow warning.

Amber Warning: There is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, which could potentially disrupt your plans. This means there is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and the potential risk to life and property. You should think about changing your plans and taking action to protect yourself and your property. You may want to consider the impact of the weather on your family and your community and whether there is anything you need to do ahead of the severe weather to minimise the impact.

Red Warning: Dangerous weather is expected and, if you haven’t already done so, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather. It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure. You should avoid travelling, where possible, and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities."

There are likely to be problems on the roads during this afternoon's rush hour as snow and ice blanket the UK, the Met Office has warned.

Allow extra time for your journey.

Northern Rail has updated its advice as the snowy weather causes further disruption on the following services:

- Meadowhall and Rotherham Central - Supertram will accept train tickets for journeys between Meadowhall and Sheffield

- Stockport and Chester

- Sheffield and Manchester Piccadilly

- Sheffield and Nottingham

Train services are also affected between Carlisle and Hexham in both directions due to a road traffic accident at a level crossing.

All customers are advised to check before they travel as the wintry conditions are forecast to remain throughout the next few days.

TfL is warning Londoners to allow more travel time during the cold snap.

It said in an email to customers: "Cold weather is forecast for the next two nights, so please allow extra time for your journey and check before you travel."

Some commuters are getting creative when it comes to travelling to work through the snow. 

Check out this guy's cross-country technique in Manchester...