Nearly 5,000 schools close across UK over heavy snow

Nearly 5,000 schools have been closed across the UK as snow and icy conditions continue for a fourth day, BBC News reports.

Travel has also been affected, with disruption to road and train journeys. Flights are suspended at East Midlands, Manchester and Leeds Bradford airports, and Heathrow has cancelled one in 10 flights because of poor visibility.

Snow is currently falling in northern England and southern and eastern Scotland, where Met Office amber "be prepared" warnings are in force.

Forecasters say they expect 10-20cm (4-8in) of snow could fall during the day and are also warning of ice affecting East Anglia, southern England and south Wales.

The Met Office said in the areas of England and Scotland expecting the heaviest snow on Monday, Jan 21, drifting is likely in strong to gale force easterly winds.

The forecasters warned sub-zero overnight temperatures would lead to ice forming where snow had fallen or melted during Sunday.