Blizzards swept across Scotland and northern England on Monday leaving villages cut off and causing treacherous conditions for drivers.

Forecasters say the snow will sweep south across the whole of eastern England during Monday, although conditions will be less severe than in northern Britain.

The low is moving down Britain's east coast

Vehicle rescue services worked around the clock in Scotland to help motorists stuck in the heavy snow drifts caused by high winds.

Weather there worsened overnight prompting motoring organisations to urge drivers to make journeys only if absolutely necessary.

In central Scotland, police issued a warning to climbers not to tackle mountains unless they had navigational skills.

Forecasters say there could be several inches of snow on the North Yorkshire Moors and the Lincolnshire Wolds, but other places could get a covering as well. Snow will reach East Anglia later, and probably east Kent during Monday night.

They say showers will die out on Tuesday morning, leaving a cold, dry day with wintry sun. Wednesday will be frosty but dry in most areas, though Scotland will be milder by then.

The Orkney Islands were the worst hit with more than four inches of snow falling on Sunday and biting gale force winds pushing down temperatures to -16C.

A spokesman for Glasgow Weather Centre said a band of low pressure was moving south, taking snow and icy temperatures to the border areas and northern England.

Gale force winds and blizzards also battered the east coast of Scotland with many roads in the Grampian region closed because of snow.

The A9 Highlands road was closed between Latheron and Halkirk owing to blizzard conditions, as was the A939 road at the Lecht ski centre on the Cockbridge to Tomintoul road.

A spokesman for Roadwatch Scotland said: "Drivers should ensure they have a shovel in their car, warm clothing and emergency provisions in case they get stuck in snow drifts. We would urge motorists not to travel anywhere unless it is absolutely vital they do so."

A search was launched on Sunday for three missing climbers in central Scotland. They later turned up safe and well at Inverarnan.

A spokesman for Central Scotland Police said: "Weather conditions on the mountains are poor at this time due to snow. Good navigation skills are required due to limited visibility and climbers intending to set out should stay within their limitations and retreat if weather deteriorates and they will not complete the route within the time planned."
 

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