UK weather LIVE: Snow shuts hundreds of schools as Met Office issues amber weather warning

North Wales Police have reported that minor traffic collisions have been reported due to the ongoing bad weather, with rural areas of Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham particularly affected.

Drivers have been urged to “take extra care” and to use main roads when travelling around.

Thirteen flood warnings are in place as the UK is hit with snow and near freezing temperatures.

The Bristol, Hull and Scarborough areas are among some of places where the warnings are active.

A band of rain, sleet and snow is threatening to disrupt travel in parts of Northern Ireland on Thursday and into Friday morning.

Sub-zero weather conditions are affecting parts of the UK this week, with dozens of schools closed in northern England and north Wales, and travel disruption expected throughout the day.

RAC breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said: “The vast majority of drivers are heavily reliant on their cars, something that’s exacerbated when the weather turns icy or snowy, especially if public transport is impacted and drivers have no choice but to use their cars for trips they consider essential.

“Doing so can carry huge risks however, and it’s vitally important drivers follow guidance from the Met Office and others accordingly whenever there is a warning for severe weather issued – especially if it is an amber or even rare red warning.

“Waiting until conditions improve might well be the safest and best course of action.

“If a driver has made the decision that it is safe to set out in snow and ice, it’s important drivers always check their cars and adjust their driving styles to cope with whatever wintry conditions are thrown at them.

“A car’s braking distance can increase by up to 10 times when there’s snow and ice on a road, meaning it’s vital to check all tyres have plenty of tread and slow down considerably to reduce the chances of a collision.”

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Rain, sleet and snow pushes northwards through Thursday. Snow confined to North Wales, Northern Ireland and northern England, mainly on high ground. Snow turning to freezing rain for north Wales bringing icy stretches. Brighter spells and heavy rain further south.

Rain and snow continue to track northwards into Scotland overnight but intensities decrease. A widespread frost expected away from coasts in the north but more rain moves in further south.

Wintry showers continue in the far north. Band of rain and hill snow across central areas move northwards through the day. Cloudy in the south with some showers, locally heavy.

Largely cloudy on Saturday with some rain in the south, and wintry showers further north. Drier in the east on Sunday with light winds, cloudier in the west.

James Madden of Exacta Weather warns that the Midlands will be first to experience heavy snow, followed by northern England.

Read the full article from travel correspondent Simon Calder here

North Wales Police have reported that minor traffic collisions have been reported due to the ongoing bad weather, with rural areas of Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham particularly affected.

Drivers have been urged to “take extra care” and to use main roads when travelling around.