Chaos: Motorists wait in endless queues on the M62 near Liverpool this morning after police shut two lanes following a collision
Much
of Britain ground to a halt today after freezing temperatures and heavy
snow forced roads to close, airports to cancel flights and hundreds of
schools to shut their doors.
Across
the UK, commuters faced nightmare delays after accidents and
treacherous conditions on motorways resulted in multiple lane closures,
leaving thousands of people stuck in traffic as they made their way to
work.
Many
holidaymakers were also left despondent today after dozens of flights
were cancelled and delayed, with others missing the flights still
running as cancelled pick-up bus services meant some had to walk miles
to reach airports.
In Northern Ireland, more than a hundred schools are still closed and the the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said it was struggling to respond to emergency calls due to the extreme weather.
Yesterday, emergency services experienced one of their busiest days of the year as treacherous driving conditions plagued the north west, Scotland and the Isle of Man.
Some motorists even became stranded overnight as sections of motorways in Cumbria, including the A6 between Kendal and Shap, were shut after being badly affected by black ice.
The Met Office say much of the country will see sleet and snow this weekend with temperatures in the north of England remaining particularly low due to strong northerly winds.
Severe delays: The crash on the busy motorway in the northwest is thought to have been caused by icy conidtions
Dangerous: An abandoned car lies in a ditch this morning after coming off the road last night in severe icy conditions in Cambridgeshire
A spokesman said: 'Tonight, there will be showers and sleet in the north of Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England with temperatures of around -2C and around freezing in the South.
'There will be widespread frost overnight, with sleet coming south tonight, moving across England into central Wales and reaching the South East tomorrow at around 6am.
'Saturday will see average daytime temperatures of 4C in the UK but it's going to be much colder in the northwest of Scotland and Northern Ireland where strong gales, wintry showers and sleet will make it feel below freezing.
Risk to drivers: A lorry became jackknifed due to icy conditions on the motorway near Manchester in the early hours of this morning
Heavy fall: A significant dump of snow was settled on the ground in Nottingham today as severe conditions continue to affect travel
Frosty start: The sun rises over ice-covered ground in Millington, North Yorkshire today. Yorkshire has seen dozens of schools close
Hitching a ride: Toddler Heidi Haslam enjoys her school run in Manchester this morning as she is dragged on a sledge by her parents
Sunday and Monday will be among the coldest days we've had this year and will feel like -5C in parts of Scotland due to the northerly winds.
'This will continue into Monday morning where temperatures in the northwest, where sleet has snow has fallen, will be around -3C, again with winds making it feel a few degrees colder.'
Yesterday, the Arctic weather wreaked disruption for holidaymakers, with Manchester Airport forced to close both of its runways for several hours today and flights suspended at East Midlands Airport.
Live updates from the airport this morning show that the majority of UK flights are being cancelled, while international flights seem to be operating as normal.
Trains have also been badly affected by the conditions today with Merseyrail being hit by serious snow disruption.
'Frozen snow' on the lines has been blamed for delays, which has affected trains on the Ellesmere Port, Southport and Kirkby lines.
Alert warning: Police are asking drivers to be wary of icy conditions as seen on this road near Worrall, South Yorkshire this morning
Blankets of snow: A snowy scene near Worrall, South Yorkshire today as Brits were warned to brace themselves for fresh disruption
On the M62, which connects Manchester and Liverpool, commuters were hit by horrendous traffic this morning after icy conditions caused two cars to collide.
Police were called to the accident near junction five at Huyton, Merseyside, shortly before 7am and decided to close two lanes of the eastbound carriageway heading towards Manchester.
It is not yet known if the occupants are injured and police are still at the scene. Meanwhile frustrated drivers took to social media to others about the standstill.
Stephen Valerio posted: 'Horrible crash on the M62 coming out of Liverpool.' and Lee Walker wrote: 'Multiple vehicle collison M62 Junction at Huyton. Avoid.'
Dozens of holidaymakers travelling to Stansted Airport were forced to exit their cars on walk to the motorway in freezing conditions after a crash on the M11 caused massive delays.
Others claimed the airport's bus pick-up service was not running, resulting in angry customers missing early morning flights.
One furious traveller, under the Twitter handle, @TigerTalking, wrote: 'Stansted operators at their best, no buses, walking in the road and in mud. Missed flights, thanks Stansted for all your help!'
Another, @gazzeast, wrote: 'Chaos M11 stansted 5.15 heavy snow accident people walking to airport no gritters around, uselss HighwaysAgenncy.'
Alongside his tweet, he posted a photo showing treacherous conditions on the road with cars stuck in queues of traffic.
The Highways Agency has issued advice to drivers today asking them to stick to the main roads where possible and avoid exposed routes.
They say motorists should avoid steep hills and exposed roads where possible and try not to brake suddenly - as it may lock up your wheels and cause you to skid further.
Friday and Saturday: The Met Office has issued yellow snow warnings for today and the weekend - and said more could be put in place
These weather warnings for Sunday and Monday were issued as it was revealed Britain will be hit by a week of snow and freezing temperatures
A Met Office graphs shows how England will be affected by severe weather action in much of the north of the country this weekend
Heavy dump: A car emerges from a lane surrounded by fields blanketed in thick snow this morning near Worrall, South Yorkshire