UK Weather Chaos As Snow And Ice Down Power Lines And Close Motorways

Motorists have been warned of dangerous conditions on the roads and air travellers of potential disruption as snow and ice hit large swathes of the UK.

Thousands were left without power as wintry weather swept in overnight, with Western Power Networks saying more than 14,000 properties had been cut off.

The southbound carriageway of the M1 was closed near Lutterworth in Leicestershire after an accident involving a lorry.

On Wednesday morning the M5 in Gloucestershire was reduced down to two lanes between Junction 14 and Junction 15 due to snow.

<strong>Snow reduces the M5 down to two lanes between Junction 14 an 15 in South Gloucestershire after overnight snow caused travel disruptions across parts of the UK.</strong>

Overnight an HGV jack-knifed in heavy snow on the M5 in Gloucestershire.

There have been multiple collisions on the A14 near Kettering and police have advised people to avoid the area.

Meanwhile, passengers at Birmingham Airport were warned that snow could impact flights.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of rain and snow for the Midlands, London and the South East, the North West, South West and Yorkshire and the Humber that will remain in place until 11am.

<strong>Weather warning graphic for December 27.</strong>

A separate warning for ice has been issued for Northern Ireland, Yorkshire and the Humber and the North East in England and the Highlands, Grampian, Lothian Borders, Strathclyde and Orkney and Shetland in Scotland.

The Flood Information Service has also issued 14 warnings, where flooding is expected and immediate action is required, and 96 alerts where flooding is possible and people should be prepared.