By Eric King-
Heavy snowfall has hit many parts of Britain causing road and rail disruption.
Hundreds of trains are canceled, many schools are shut and forecasters say some rural communities may be cut off.
Kent, Surrey, Suffolk, and Sussex are among the worst-hit counties, seeing up to 10cm of snow, while north-east England has received up to 8cm (3in)..Amber Met Office weather warnings are in place in those areas, meaning there is a possible risk to life and property.
A less severe yellow warning applies to a much wider area, covering much of Scotland, England and Wales.
Roads across the UK were covered in a blanketed in snow on Tuesday morning. Police forces have warned of treacherous driving conditions and blocked routes. Several stranded lorries had blocked the M20 overnight. Much of the UK’s travel network has been crippled as a result of the sudden pour of snow expected to continue to cause disruptions for most of the day
Heavy showers were expected to continue throughout the morning and cripple much of the country’s travel network. Trains have also been affected by the snowfall, with cancellations and disruptions on lines across the country.
In Lincolshire 45 schoolchildren were aided by police after their bus collided with a car and careered off the road. Fortunately, none of the pupils were injured, but the force said conditions were “particularly hazardous”.
The Met Office has estimated that up to 40cm of snow could fall in north-east England and Scotland, between Wednesday morning and Thursday lunchtime. Britain is already feeling the effect of dramatically lower temperatures below freezing, forecasters believe it could get as cold as -15C by midweek.