Britain is having its worst early winter weather in almost two decades.
Much of the country is under heavy snow, with bitter winds adding to the misery.
Runways at Gatwick airport in London were closed and heavy snow showers closed Edinburgh airport in Scotland until Thursday morning.
More than 250,000 children in Scotland are having a day off school - many for the third consecutive day.
Temperatures of -25C are forecast in some parts of Scotland on Thursday night.
About one third of all rail services were delayed or cancelled at Wednesday midday.
The BBC reports one of the worst affected areas of England is South Yorkshire, where the snow is up to 30cm deep.
Police in the southern counties of Kent and Surrey advised motorists not to travel unless their journey was absolutely essential.
