Warning as snow comes in

Roads across the East Midlands are being gritted

A severe weather warning has been issued for the whole of the East Midlands.

Snow and icy conditions have affected much of the area with drivers being warned to take care.

Up to five inches of snow fell overnight in some areas closing roads in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

There have been continued scattered snow showers during Wednesday morning and councils say gritting lorries are prepared for more.

But the Met Office is predicting that skies will clear later on Wednesday.

Parts of Derbyshire have been blanketed in snow.

Long delays

The A54 Buxton to Congleton has been closed since this morning as has the A57 Snake Pass..

Dangerous driving conditions in Lincolnshire have led to a number of road accidents.

We really are going to experience our first taste of winter

Sara Blizzard
Weather expert

Traffic coming into Lincoln on the A158 and A15 and A46 is heavy.

There are also long delays on the Sutterton bypass near Boston and on the A631 into Gainsborough.

Many minor roads are closed and the police are advising motorists to stick to the A roads.

Dozens of schools in the county are remaining closed for the day while supermarkets have said people have been buying emergency supplies of food.

Meanwhile more snow is expected across the whole of the region.

Advice to drivers

BBC East Midlands weather expert Sara Blizzard said: "If you thought you managed to escape the dusting of snow that happened last night, well we have got a second area coming through today.

"So I think we really are going to experience our first taste of winter."

Motorists have been advised to carry warm clothes, food, water, boots, a torch and a spade when driving in snow.

The AA has put on extra patrols with a higher number of breakdowns expected.

East Midlands Electricity is on standby for any problems encountered by the snow.

Rebecca Middleton, from the power firm, said: "We do have additional engineers on standby as well as our full team of engineers who are ready and fully prepared to go if the weather does cause a problem on the network."