Snow tracker LIVE: Polar blast sparks rush-hour chaos as heavy snowfall reaches London

Multiple videos on social media platforms are emerging, showing thick snow starting to blanket London.

This video shows snow falling in East Finchley, in North London.

The has issued fresh warnings for snow and ice up and down the country as the south of England prepares for blizzards.

The weather office released three yellow warnings for snow and ice before issuing a rare amber warning for snow in the south.

is in place between 2.27pm and 9pm on January 8, the British weather agency said. This type of warning means that snow has a medium likelihood and is expected to have a medium impact.

South West England is the only area of the UK affected by the warning, which includes Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset.

This came just hours after the original yellow warnings in place for areas within North West England, South West England and Wales and are in place between 3am and 12pm on Thursday, January 9.

Earlier today, the issued a rare amber warning for snow in South West England.

An amber warning means there is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, which could potentially disrupt your plans.

This means there is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures and the potential risk to life.

The issued multiple yellow weather warnings earlier today for large parts of Britain.

Yellow warnings can be issued when it is likely that the weather will cause some low-level impacts, including some disruption to travel in a few places.

The releases two long range weather forecasts at a time, with the latter one currently covering January 23 to February 6.

It reads: “High pressure may initially dominate, especially in the south, bringing quiet, grey, and cool conditions here. Northern parts are more-likely to be unsettled but milder.

“This pattern will likely spread across the whole UK by the end of the period, leading to milder conditions with periods of rain and strong winds more widely.”

The releases two long range forecasts, and the one for January 13-22 appears to signal a more consistent period of settled conditions.

It reads: “High pressure is likely to build from the south, close to or over the UK throughout this period, with generally settled conditions prevailing for many.

“Cloud amounts will be variable and often large, with a chance of some fog developing under clearer spells, which could be slow to clear.

“Frontal systems may affect some parts of the UK though, these more likely towards the northwest of the UK, bringing some rain and windier conditions here, especially to western Scotland.

“Temperatures are likely to be generally around or a little above average in the north and west, although southern and eastern parts may be colder at times, especially where overnight fog and frost is slow to clear.”

weather warnings for snow and ice have been extended by another 12 hours in South West England, Wales and North West England.

It comes as show striking counties across the south of England as the warns of more travel delays, power outages and potential injuries on icy patches.

The had already issued a for snow covering southern counties of England from 9am until midnight on Wednesday.

Fresh yellow weather warnings have been issued for snow and ice in South West England, Wales and North West England from 3am to midday tomorrow (January 9).

The coldest nights of the year are expected this week as temperatures potentially reach -14C on Wednesday night and -16C on Thursday night, both in the North East of England and Scotland, according to the .

Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has said snowmelt has brought further disruption to parts of England, particularly in the Midlands, after the heavy rainfall over the New Year that saw significant river and surface water flooding across the North West of England and Yorkshire.

The ‘s three-to-five-day forecast appears to singal the end of the snow and icy conditions across the country.

It reads: “Dry for many Friday, with some sunshine. Cloudier in the far west, with patchy rain and snow. Cloudy over the weekend, with some rain and hill snow, though eventually milder.”

The has issued a rare amber weather alert for snow, hours after it issued several yellow weather warnings for snow and ice.

is in place between 2.27pm and 9pm on January 8, the British weather agency said. This type of warning means that snow has a medium likelihood and is expected to have a medium impact.

South West England is the only area of the UK affected by the warning, which includes Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset.

The issued new yellow weather warnings for ice and snow that could disrupt travel and make roads dangerous.

issued on Wednesday affect areas within North West England, South West England and Wales and are in place between 3am and 12pm on Thursday, January 9.

The warnings read: “Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services.

“Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths. Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.”

to see the full list of affected areas.

The has said temperatures will fall into negative double figures in the coldest areas during the next few nights, with a few locations possibly seeing minimum temperatures as low as -16C.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Sunday.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: “We are extending the duration of our Cold-Health Alert, since the are forecasting that the low temperatures we are seeing will continue further into this week, with snow and icy conditions likely to persist.

“This weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital that we continue to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.

“These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.”

More than 60 schools in northern Scotland are closed as snow and ice warnings remain in force across much of the country.

On Wednesday, 54 schools and 39 nurseries in the Highlands are closed while in Aberdeenshire nine schools are shut and many had delayed openings due to the weather.

The has just issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice between 3am on Thursday until midday the same day in Wales and North West England.

It warns snow and icy patches could lead to travel disruption, with some roads and railways “likely” to be affected by longer journey times by road, bus and train services.

The said there will “probably” be some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths, risking injuries from slips and falls.

Wetherby’s card on Saturday is under threat after an inspection was called for 3.30pm today.

While southern England is under a yellow weather warning for snow, 85 flood warnings are in force.

These warnings issued by the Environment Agency mean flooding is expected.

The areas are where the warnings apply as of 10.25am today:

Car Dyke, Billinghay Skirth and tributaries in Billinghay

Curry Moor and Hay Moor

Fittleworth on the Western River Rother

Highfield Drain and Finchetts Gutter at Abbot’s Mead, Chester

Holderness Drain and Leven Drain at Leven

Holderness Drain and Leven Drain in Leven village

Holderness Drain at Routh and Meaux

Holderness Drain at Wawne Common and Woody Carr

Isolated properties and villages in the east of the South Forty Foot Drain

Isolated properties and villages in the west of the South Forty Foot Drain and its tributaries

Low Barlings and the Short Ferry area

Lower Stour at Redhill and Wheatplot Home Sites

Lower Stour from Sturminster Marshall to Christchurch

Low lying properties in the Upper Hull catchment

Middle Hampshire Avon at Britford, Salisbury

Middle Hampshire Avon from Salisbury to Ringwood

North Bank Road alongside the River Nene, east of Peterborough and west of Dog-in-a-Doublet Sluice

Pulborough on the River Arun

River Aire at Hirst Marsh and West Marsh

River Avon at Birlingham and Eckington

River Avon at Evesham

River Avon at Harvington and Offenham

River Avon at Stratford upon Avon

River Avon at Strensham and Bredon

River Avon at Twyning

River Avon at Weston on Avon and Welford on Avon

River Avon at Wyre Piddle

River Derwent at Buttercrambe Mill

River Glen at Greatford

River Glen at Kates Bridge

River Idle at West Retford and Ordsall

River Ray for Islip

River Ray from the Heath Bridge area to and including the Otmoor Basin

River Severn at Abbots Court, Deerhurst

River Severn at Apperley and The Leigh

River Severn at Bushley

River Severn at Chaceley and Haw Bridge

River Severn at Clifton and Severn Stoke

River Severn at Court Meadow, Kempsey and Callow End

River Severn at East Waterside, Upton upon Severn

River Severn at Hanley Castle, Rectory Road in Upton upon Severn and Saxons Lode

River Severn at Hanley Road, Upton upon Severn

River Severn at Hawford Wood and Bevere

River Severn at Pitchcroft, North Worcester

River Severn at Severn Ham, Tewkesbury

River Severn at Tewkesbury

River Severn in North Worcester

River Severn in South Worcester

River Soar at caravan parks near Barrow upon Soar

River Soar at Moor Lane in Normanton on Soar and Hathern Sports Ground

River Soar at Ratcliffe on Soar

River Soar at Redhill and Kegworth Bridge

River Soar at Zouch Island

River Trent at Attenborough Nature Reserve

River Trent at Barrow upon Trent

River Trent at Beeston Lock and Marina

River Trent at Carlton on Trent including Beck Cottage

River Trent at Castle Donington around Kings Mill

River Trent at Catton, Barton under Needwood and Branston Water Park

River Trent at Cavendish Bridge

River Trent at Collingham

River Trent at Farndon riverside properties including Dorner Avenue and Wyke and Marsh Lane

River Trent at Fiskerton Mill including Rolleston Fields, Gorse and Nurseries

River Trent at Gibsmere and Gipsy Lane at Bleasby

River Trent at Girton

River Trent at Holme Pierrepont for the National Watersports Centre

River Trent at Lenton for Nottingham Park and Ride Site at Queens Drive

River Trent at Newark for riverside properties

River Trent at Newark Sugar Factory and Kelham Bridge

River Trent at Newark Tolney Lane and Riverside Marinas

River Trent at riverside areas of Burton upon Trent

River Trent at Sawley Marina, including Sawley Lock

River Trent at Swarkestone

River Trent at Thrumpton including Barton Ferry

River Trent at Trentlock

River Trent at Twyford

River Trent at Willington around Repton Road

River Welland in Market Deeping

River Went at Topham Ferry, Sykehouse

River Witham and associated Fens from Chapel Hill to Boston

River Witham and associated Fens from Washingborough to Metheringham

River Witham and associated Fens from Woodhall Spa to Chapel Hill

River Wreake at Melton Mowbray

Roam Drain and River Hull at Hempholme

Westlands Drain at Hedon

Jason Kelly, the ‘s chief forecaster, has said weather conditions start to change from the southwest today with fronts from the Atlantic bringing milder air along with moisture.

He added: “As this moisture encounters the cold air, snowfall is expected particularly over higher ground and away from the coast. However, there is still uncertainty about how far north these fronts will reach. They could either skirt the south or move into southern England”

He continued: “Currently, a snow warning is in place, but it is not guaranteed. The situation is being closely monitored. As the forecast is finely balanced, do stay up to date with the latest forecast for your area.”

The has just updated its yellow weather warning for snow across southern England.

It is warning snow may cause reduced visibility and make roads slippery, increasing the chance of accidents.

The forecaster also said some roads and railway lines are likely to be affected by snow, with longer journey times resulting.

This video fromt the shows where snow could strike in the south as cloud and rain bumps into colder air over the region later today.

The forecaster has said much of the country has seen a frosty and icy start to the day.

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice across Scotland comes to an end at midday.

That warning applies to Grampian, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highlands & Eilean Siar, the Orkney Islands, the Shetland Islands, Lothian Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Strathclyde, Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire.

A yellow weather warning for ice is set to end at midday.

It applies to a swathe of Wales and the North of England, including Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Gwynedd.

Icy patches on untreated surfaces could lead to slips and falls, according to the .

Another warning for snow and ice in Northern Ireland is also due to end at 12pm today.

The ‘s snow warning for southern England came into force at 9am and lasts until 11.59pm tonight.

A weather system could push snow into some southern counties, with the potential for “significant” build ups of 2-5cm in some spots and as much as 10cm over higher ground.

Ice is likely over untreated surfaces as rain clears easterwards on Wednesday night, according to the .

Driving could become dangerous, there’s a small chance of power cuts and there may be delays on roads.

The warning applies to these local authority areas: Thurrock, Bracknell Forest, Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, Greater London, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Medway, Portsmouth, Reading, Southampton, Surrey, West Berkshire, West Sussex, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham, Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Plymouth, Somerset, Torbay and Wiltshire.

There will be no jumps racing on Thursday or Friday with frozen tracks claiming cards at Newbury, Doncaster and Huntingdon.

Only Ayr has staged National Hunt action so far this week and while Wednesday’s fixture at Taunton goes ahead as planned, another blank spell will end the working week.

Newbury’s clerk of the course George Hill had planned an inspection at 8.30am ahead of Thursday’s card, but was able to make a slightly earlier decision following temperatures of -3C overnight.

He said: “The forecast has unfortunately proved correct, we got down to -3C and it has been freezing since 9pm or 10pm.

“The course is frozen in places and we are forecast 1C or 2C today with the possibility of sleet or snow showers tonight and another freezing night. With temperature of 2C or 3C forecast tomorrow, it just won’t be enough”

It is a similar story at Doncaster, where clerk David Attwood has made an early call ahead of Friday’s meeting.

Huntingdon were also scheduled to race over jumps on Friday, but clerk of the course Andrew Morris admitted cancellation was fairly “inevitable” after flooding at the track earlier in the week.

Thursday’s other planned card at Catterick was called off on Tuesday.

These two maps show where the yellow weather warnings apply.

This map, also generated by WX Charts, shows it will be a chilly evening, with temperatures ranging from -7C in the Highlands to 0C across the southern half of Britain.

Good morning and welcome to our live blog where we’ll bring you the latest updates as more snow is forecast for parts of the UK.

This weather map shows where snow is expected later today. The map, which was generated by WX Charts using MetDesk data, shows snow in southern counties as well as across a large swathe of Scotland, the North of England, Northern Ireland and North Wales at 6pm today.