A severe amber snow warning has been issued for London and south east England, and heavy snow is 'likely' to cause long delays on roads and with rail and air travel across the region.

Most of England and Scotland are still covered by snow and ice warnings as the new week begins amid the nation's ongoing cold snap.

Forecasters are warning of a strong chance of roads becoming blocked by deep snow, "with many stranded vehicles and passengers likely", with snow possibly hard early this morning (Monday, February 8).

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bit more intensity to this snow moving into S/SE London now. <a href="https://t.co/lJsvgcdjv8">pic.twitter.com/lJsvgcdjv8</a></p>— London & Southeast (@TheSnowDreamer) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSnowDreamer/status/1358698365500932097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Snow accumulations of 5-10 centimetres will be widespread in the affected area, and reaching up to 30cm in "a few sites".

Lengthy interruptions are also predicted to power supplies and other services including gas, water, telephone and mobile phone services.

Areas under the warning comprise the outskirts of south-east London, plus Kent, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk.

Your Local Guardian:

Another amber warning is in place from Nottinghamshire and north to Sheffield and east into Lincolnshire, where road and rail delays interruptions, power cuts are likely and interruptions to mobile phone services are also possible.

Your Local Guardian: Met Office weather map - LondonMet Office weather map - London

Accumulations of 3-8cm will be widespread, reaching to 15cm in some areas, including the Lincolnshire Wolds.

Both amber warnings are in place till Monday afternoon.

Many parts of the country face another day of temperatures at or around freezing point, as bitterly cold conditions continue due to strong easterly winds stemming from Ukraine and the Black Sea.

Less intense yellow snow and ice warnings remain in place for most of England, the east of Scotland, and Northern Ireland south of Belfast.

Your Local Guardian:

Heavy snow will "at times bring some travel disruption", the Met Office said, leading to travel delays, possible cancellations to rail and air services, power and phone interruptions and the possibility that some rural communities may become cut off.

The Met Office said: "Monday will start cold for all.

"Snow will continue to fall in southeast England, with further snow showers elsewhere."

Low pressure system, Storm Darcy, is continuing to cause heavy snow and strong winds to East Anglia and south-east England, the Met Office said.

The cold snap driven by the easterly winds is not expected to be as widespread as the Beast From The East in 2018.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Monday?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Monday</a> will start <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cold?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cold</a> for all. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Snow?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Snow</a> will continue to fall in southeast England, with further snow showers elsewhere. ❄️🧣❄️<br><br>⚠️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeatherWarnings?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeatherWarnings</a> are in force ⚠️<br><br>Stay <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeatherAware?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeatherAware</a> <a href="https://t.co/C3vZUVUXVz">pic.twitter.com/C3vZUVUXVz</a></p>— Met Office (@metoffice) <a href="https://twitter.com/metoffice/status/1358520971049783297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

  • Full Met Office forecast for London and south east England: February 8 - February 12

Headline:

Snow showers, heavy and drifting in east. Bitterly cold winds.

Today:

Snow showers will continue, with further accumulations and drifting. Strong easterly winds, with gales along Kent coasts. Feeling bitterly cold. Daytime temperatures struggling to reach above freezing. Maximum temperature 0 °C.

Tonight:

Further snow showers will move west across the region on a moderate easterly breeze, with accumulations to all levels. Feeling very cold overnight with a hard frost and icy conditions. Minimum temperature -4 °C.

Tuesday:

Wintry showers continuing but becoming fewer. Icy stretches remain likely with bitterly cold fresh easterly winds. Some winter sunshine between showers. Another hard overnight frost. Maximum temperature 1 °C.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Wintry showers initially on Wednesday, becoming light then clearing later. Drier and bright on Thursday, with a risk of snow again Friday. Bitterly cold with hard frosts and icy stretches.