Motorists bedded down on mattresses on the floor of the Jamaica Inn, in Cornwall, after snow wreaked havoc on the A30
MORE than a hundred drivers were forced to bed down in a PUB after snow left them stranded on the coldest night of the year as temperatures plummeted to -15C.
Motorists bedded down on mattresses on the floor of the Jamaica Inn, in Cornwall, after drivers were stuck on the A30 for 10 hours - and more snow is to hit the UK today.
The Met Office has warned of further delays on roads and travel disruption as it issued an Amber warning for snow until 11am today, with rural villages running the risk of being cut off.
But this could ease as the day goes on, with the morning sleet and snow in the south due to fade - with the possibility of some sunny spells breaking through in the north.
However temperatures will still remain very low today, with a frosty predicted this evening and an icy start to a chilly day tomorrow with some snow in coastal area.
Snow, sleet and rain is expected to whip back across the UK from Sunday to Tuesday, with brisk winds, although temperatures should rise as the week goes on.
The snow caused disruption for the nation's airports overnight with nearly 100 flights cancelled at Heathrow due to the adverse conditions, and many airports and runways shut today.
Bournemouth Airport has also said its airfield is closed today "until further notice" due to snow.
Roads became blocked as cars queued up to get home during yesterday's rush hour.
Newquay Airport shut down and dozens of train were cancelled amid the wintry chaos.
About 100 vehicles were stuck on the A30 near Temple on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall and some drivers spent a night stuck in their freezing cold cars as authorities attempt to slowly clear the traffic.
A restaurant on the A30, the Jamaica Inn, filled all of its rooms with drivers stuck on the road and laid out mattresses for others who were left stranded.
Paul Dyre stayed at the Jamaica Inn after spending hours stuck on the A30.
He said: "There had been a bit of heavy snow but while everything was moving it was fine, but as soon as there was a few incidents up ahead everything ground to a halt.
People were leaving cars and the snow was heavy
Paul Dyre
"You never know how long these things are going to last, whether it will be moving in two minutes or four hours as it turned out."
Such was the scale of the snow disruption that a woman was forced to give birth in an Asda store in Cornwall.
The woman went into labour in the Bodmin branch but an ambulance could not reach her due due to the congested roads.
The Met Office also has two yellow weather warnings of snow and ice in force until this afternoon covering southern England and Wales, as well as the eastern edge of the UK from Shetland to The Wash.
Police forces across the country have warned motorists to consider if their journeys are necessary before heading out on Friday and be "extremely careful"; if have to travel by road.
Met Office meteorologist Emma Smith said: "There is still sleet and snow across southern counties, the band is currently sitting across the south-west and Wales and across to East Anglia and London.
"It's kind of pivoting in place and it's not really moving very far. What will be happening to it is it will get patchier as it goes on, but it could cause some disruption to rush hour.
"Temperatures are widely below freezing so there's icy stretches so people will have to take care going into work."
Dorset County Council tweeted that transport services, including school buses, have been cancelled today due to the forecast.
Customers were advised to travel before 9pm yesterday by Transport for London and Network Rail Western and to check services with their train provider or Network Rail.
Ch Insp Adrian Leisk warned drivers to avoid "all but absolutely essential" travel.
He said on Thursday afternoon: "Significant snowfall in Cornwall, particularly on the A30 at Temple where around 100 vehicles are currently stuck.
"The snow is heading eastwards and will cause significant disruption tonight.
"Please be prepared and avoid all but absolutely essential travel.";
Welsh rugby fans hoping to get to Paris today for Six Nations tournament have been stranded due to snow.
The majority of schools closed on Thursday are based in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Liverpool.
Schools were also shut in North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent as the snow continues to hammer down.
There have been hundreds of closures in North Wales, including in Flintshire, Wrexham and Gwynedd.
Dorset, Devon, Hampshire and Cornwall have also been affected.
Here, blizzards are set to cause a nightmare for commuters with travel delays "likely" due to another 2in of snow being dumped on existing coverage, the Met Office said.
Rod Dennis, spokesman for RAC Breakdown, said: "The message to drivers from this latest forecast is to be on guard - warnings of the risk of disruption from either snow or ice cover almost much of the UK, which means drivers could be caught out just about anywhere.
"With conditions on the roads likely to deteriorate quickly it is vital drivers are ready to adapt their driving style.
"Drivers should take particular care on untreated surfaces, and it's a good idea to travel with an emergency pack - consisting of things like spare warm clothes, food and drink and a mobile phone powerpack - in case of a breakdown."
The Met Office's weather warnings say to expect injuries from slips and falls on the ice on roads and cycle paths.
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