Blizzards across Northern Ireland and Scotland black out 48,000 homes, with rail, road and flights also affected
Up to 48,000 homes were without power this morning across parts of the UK after gales, snow and heavy rain brought down power lines.
Severe storms have hit Scotland and Northern Ireland, damaging power lines and causing widespread transport disruption. In the worst-hit part of Northern Ireland about 300 people – including children on a school bus – had to be rescued from vehicles trapped in snow overnight on the Glenshane Pass near Londonderry.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings in parts of Scotland and England, warning of severe blizzards in northern Scotland.
It has issued its most severe "take action" warning in the Highlands. The Met Office website says: "High risk of major damage to infrastructure and the environment. Casualties are possible."
It is warning some areas of Scotland could see 30cm of snow, with deep drifts, while higher parts of Cumbria, the northern Pennines and north Wales could see up to 10cm of snow with strong winds causing snow drifts.
Temperatures are expected to remain close to 0C throughout the day.
Most of Britain will continue to have a cold, wet and unsettled week, say forecasters, although there may be a few sunny spells on Thursday. Further snow may hit Scotland over the Easter holiday and overnight frosts remain possible elsewhere.
Northern Ireland Electricity said between 45,000 and 48,000 customers, mainly in the west and the north, were cut off overnight after widespread damage to its network.
Widespread damage was reported by the company, which called in hundreds of extra staff to help emergency teams restore supplies. It stood down all crews at midnight as poor visibility, high winds and worsening weather prevented further repairs until morning.
A spokesman said engineers and workers would be out helping restore supplies as soon as possible. "Our crews are getting back out in the field again, we have 450 staff in the field."
He blamed the disruption on "unprecedented" weather.
Some flights due to leave or land at Belfast international airport were diverted or cancelled, with ferry sailings also affected.
The bad weather continued with a vengeance in Scotland, where 22,000 homes lost supplies yesterday. All but a few were back on last night. Temperatures over Monday night dropped as low as -5C at Cairnwell, near Braemar. The plunging temperatures left 10 lorries stranded on the M90 and the ski centre at Aviemore was buried under 77cm (30in) of snow.
Train services on the East Coast main line were suspended north of Berwick after two landslips last night. Network Rail said it was working to reopen the line today, diverting some services via Newcastle and Carlisle and using replacement buses.
The AA said motorists should follow police advice and prepare for potentially hazardous long journeys with warm clothes, a fully charged phone and food and drink.
Gavin Hill-Smith, an AA spokesman, said the Easter getaway could start on Thursday as most schools will finish midweek. He expected a 20% rise in AA patrols to cope with the conditions.
The Highways Agency said 60% of roadworks on motorways and major roads in England would be completed or suspended by early tomorrow to help cut traffic jams over the holiday.
