Send in the military: Armed Forces are deployed as England AND Scotland are put on red alert - Britain's highest ever weather warning - for first time as South West faces up to two feet of snow and National Grid warns UK is 'running out of gas

Storm Emma will meet the Beast from the East's chilly Russia air over Britain as it rolls in from the Atlantic

Drifting snow has caused misery for motorists and police say 'most roads' in Lincolnshire are impassable

London Paddington station shut due to 'severe weather' and no flights at Glasgow Airport until tomorrow

Motorists on M80 near Glasgow were stuck for up to 13 hours with some spending the night in their cars

Temperatures drop to -16C in worst period of weather experienced in Britain since the 'Big Freeze' of 2010 

** Stranded by the snow? If it is safe to do so, please email your pictures to: pictures@mailonline.co.uk **

Storm clouds gather over Dublin Bay in the Republic of Ireland today as Storm Emma meets the Beast from the East

A multi-car accident in the snow today has caused chaos on the M66 between Ramsbottom and Bury in Greater Manchester 

All lanes have ground to a halt on the southbound carriageway of the motorway between Ramsbottom and Bury this morning

A man and child attempt to walk along the A672 Oldham Road in Greater Manchester in blizzard conditions today

RAF drivers from No 2 Mechanical Transport Squadron are helping the emergency services in Lincolnshire deliver aid today

An abandoned vehicle is surrounded by several feet of snow in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, this morning

Two police officers become stuck in a snow drift on the A904 just outside Bo'ness in West Lothian this morning

Commuters are battered by snow in Edinburgh today as the Scottish capital faces a red Met Office weather warning

A man walking in snowy conditions in Larbert, Falkirk, as Storm Emma rolls in to Britain from France and Portugal today

John Parks (right) joins Tynemouth Lodge barman Neil Duffy next to a snow sculpture outside the pub in North Tyneside

More than 500 flights have been cancelled in England and Scotland so far, including 157 at London Heathrow, 129 at Edinburgh, 77 at London Gatwick, 67 at London City and 48 at Bristol. A further 194 were cancelled at Dublin. 

The National Grid has issued a 'gas deficit warning' as fears mount that supplies could run empty. It issued the warning in response to a series of 'significant supply losses resulting in a forecast end of day supply deficit'. 

But householders across the country were urged to 'carry on cooking' by energy minister Claire Perry, who stressed that domestic supplies would not be affected by the power operator's warning.In Leeds, a 75-year-old woman's body was found laid partially under a parked car. A police tent was put up in the snow as severe weather continued, but officers said the death did not appear to be suspicious. It came as:

• Drivers on the M80 near Glasgow were stranded for up to 13 hours last night as others abandoned vehicles; 
• National Grid warned of a gas shortfall of around 50 million cubic metres which could hit industrial users;
• London Paddington train station was closed today due to icy platforms with trains only going to Reading;
• Police said 'most roads' in Lincolnshire were impassable and even snowploughs could not get through; 
• Conditions could worsen in Britain with 60mph gusts from Storm Emma bringing 'blizzard-like' weather.

The Met Office red snow alert for England and Wales issued this morning - which stretches from north of Cardiff to south of Exeter - is active from 3pm today to 2am tomorrow. 

It states: 'A spell of heavy snow and blizzard conditions is expected. The snow will be accompanied by very strong easterly winds, leading to severe drifting.

'Some places could also see significant ice build up due to freezing rain from later on Thursday evening, most likely in the south of the area. Long delays and cancellations of public transport seem highly likely. 

'Some roads are likely to become blocked by deep snow, stranding vehicles and passengers. 

Long interruptions to power supplies and other utilities are very likely to occur, along with damage to trees and other structures due to heavy snow or ice.'

Speaking about the RAF involvement in Lincolnshire, a Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'The RAF is assisting in helping to transport health staff to hospitals and support health workers in visiting vulnerable people in the community in Lincolnshire following heavy snowfall.' 

Ten 4x4 RAF vehicles and 20 personnel have been provided to carry out the support since 6am today.

In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned people not to travel while 'very extreme' arctic weather conditions are gripping the country - telling the public that if they did attempt a journey there was a 'significant risk' they could end up stranded.

She also sent a 'blunt' message to transport company bosses, who had continued to send drivers out on to the roads despite official warnings to avoid non-essential journeys.

Paddington station in West London was closed today, with bosses blaming 'severe weather conditions'. The major transport hub, which takes rail services from Wales and western England shut down at 8am.

With passengers stranded and the platforms blanketed by ice, Great Western Railway said trains were terminating at Reading in Berkshire, leaving commuters from the West unable to get into London some 40 miles further east.   

Heathrow Express, which runs trains out of Paddington to the airport, tweeted a picture showing the white concourse.It said that staff at the station are 'working hard to clear platforms and make the station safe to reopen.'

Southern trains said that due to an 8ft icicle in a tunnel at Balcolmbe, services between Brighton and Gatwick Airport were subject to delay, although engineers were working to remove it. 

Major UK airports saw many flights cancelled, including Glasgow which halted all routes until 3pm today. British Red Cross emergency response volunteers were at the airport supplying bedding for up to 100 people.

Chris Wright‏ from Edinburgh posted a picture last night of him stranded with two young children aged two and six months at Glasgow Airport.

He tweeted: 'No help, no hotels/accommodation, no place to sterilise bottles, Emirates have been an absolute disgrace. We are so disappointed with their service.

'Other airlines (are) putting up their customers and providing them with further information, providing them with an allowance for food - and all we get is 'you cannot be compensated as it is not our fault'.

'Such a poor service! Only after pushing and pushing we received some blankets from the Red Cross, over eight hours later!' 

By 8.30am this morning the AA said it had already answered calls from more than 100 drivers stuck in snow, with East Anglia and the North East the worst-hit regions.

AA president Edmund King compared driving on many 'atrocious' UK roads to skating on ice rinks, and said they had added extra patrols and 4x4s to cope with the severe conditions.

He said: 'The weather is expected to get worse in many areas before it gets better, so to those debating whether or not to risk the roads, bear in mind that being able to reach your destination this morning doesn't necessarily mean you will be able to get home again later.'

In Lincolnshire, police said the A52 had become impassable between Boston and Skegness, and warned that officers would not be able to rescue stuck drivers. Not even a snowplough could get through, the fire service said.

Lincolnshire Police have warned people that 'most roads' in the county are impassable, and urged people not to make journeys 'unless absolutely necessary'. 

The force's control room tweeted that the weather was especially bad in rural areas, adding: 'We are receiving reports that remote villages are totally cut off under 2ft of snow.' 

Ten RAF vehicles are going to be used to try to take nurses and doctors to vulnerable patients in the county. 

One person has been taken to hospital after a crash involving 16 vehicles on the M66 southbound between the Ramsbottom and Bury junction.

Another day of travel disruption as heavy snow continues

Travel across much of the UK has been made treacherous due to freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall.

Several road closures are in force, while trains and flights have been hit by delays and cancellations. Here are some of the latest reported issues:

Roads

• In Scotland, 300 motorists remained stuck on the M80, which was closed southbound between J8 and J9.
• A52 in Lincolnshire is 'impassable' between Boston and Skegness
• Other roads in Lincolnshire shut, including theA17 and the A15 between the M180 and Lincoln.
• Eight miles of tailbacks on the M62 in Cheshire as snowploughs try to clear snow between J21 and 22
• The A66 in Cumbria closed in both directions between Scotch Corner and Brough, due to the snow
• A56 in Lancashire likely to be closed for 'several hours' due to a lorry crash between M65 and A680.
• A68 was closed between Corbridge and Ridsdale in Northumberland.
• In Derbyshire,Woodhead Pass shut between Tintwistle and Flouch.

Trains

• All cross-border trains between England and Scotland suspended.
• The West Coast Main Line was closed until at least midday between Carlisle and Scotland, with no trains or replacement buses.
• Virgin Trains East Coast asked passengers 'not to travel' today and tomorrow on entire East Coast Main Line between London and Scotland.
• ScotRail halted all operations in the affected red area until late morning.
• London Paddington, was closed at 8am. Long distance services starting and terminating at Reading.
• 50 stations in Kent and East Sussexwere closed today as operator Southeastern advised commuters to work from home if possible.
• Northern said the severe weather had left several routes blocked.
• Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said two fire engines and an off-road vehicle were sent to the scene at 11.25am.GMFRS added: 'On arrival, firefighters found the crash was involving 16 vehicles. Nobody was trapped in any of the vehicles, although paramedics have helped two people that remained in their cars with one since being taken to hospital.
  'A bus is currently being used to provide shelter and care for people unable to remain in their cars. Some are being cared for by paramedics.
  'The area is very busy as the road has had to be closed in both directions. Please avoid it if possible. '
  A woman gave birth on the A66 assisted by her partner amid wild conditions, the North East Ambulance Service said. He helped deliver the baby and they were then taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital.
  The ambulance service sent a double-crewed ambulance to the scene at around 9.10am, and a Great North Air Ambulance land crew also attended.
  Collisions on both the north and southbound carriageways of the A34 near Tothill Services have left the road closed in both directions, South Central Ambulance Service said.
  Hampshire Police urged drivers to avoid the area as the closure would be 'in place for some time'.
  Meanwhile Cheshire Police said there were around eight miles of tailbacks on the M62 as officers with 4x4s, Highways England patrols, contractors and snow ploughs attempted to clear snow between junctions 21 and 22 eastbound.
  Northumberland County Council urged people not to travel unless 'absolutely necessary' as abandoned cars were causing issues for their snow plough teams on certain roads.
  Northumbria Police said the A1 would be closed between Alnwick and Berwick for around three hours while snow is cleared.
  'Our advice is not to travel AT ALL if not essential and if possible return to where you started your journey to wait safely,' the force said on Twitter.
  There was also misery for drivers in Scotland - where the highest level of weather warning, a red alert, remains in place until 10am today.
  Motorists on the M80 near Glasgow reported being stuck for up to 13 hours, with some spending the night in their cars, and others abandoning their vehicles on the motorway. Some described it as having become a 'car park'. 

• Twenty injured after 16-car pile up on icy M66 near Manchester

  Twenty people were injured following a 16-car pile up as Storm Emma wreaked more havoc across the UK.  

  Horrified witnesses said the M66 crash involved a number of vehicles - including a bus - on the icy motorway.

  Most of the 'walking wounded' were not thought to be in serious condition and were treated at the scene, but one person has been taken to hospital.

  All lanes have ground to a halt on the southbound road between Ramsbottom and Bury this morning.

  Emergency services rushed to the area hit by Storm Emma following the multi-car pile up.   

  Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said two fire engines and an off-road vehicle were sent to the scene at 11.25am.

  GMFRS added: 'On arrival, firefighters found the crash was involving 16 vehicles. Nobody was trapped in any of the vehicles, although paramedics have helped two people that remained in their cars with one since being taken to hospital.

  'A bus is currently being used to provide shelter and care for people unable to remain in their cars. Some are being cared for by paramedics.

  'The area is very busy as the road has had to be closed in both directions. Please avoid it if possible. 
• 'Driver Stevie Buist abandoned his car at Castlecary, Lanarkshire, and walked on the hard shoulder with his children Lucy, five, and Logan, nine, along with their dog.
• He told STV: 'We got on the motorway at 2pm and at about 5.30pm I decided to leave the car as I was low on diesel and mobile phone battery.'
  He added: 'I thought I would take my chances while it was light outside... Temperatures were dropping and it was already -3C so I couldn't make them sleep in the car.'
  Dylan Robertson tweeted: 'After a 3 hour long failed attempt to drive to Stirling from Glasgow I can now confirm the M80 is at a standstill.'
  Martin Braithwaite posted: 'Haven't moved in two hours and in the last 15mins the snow has come and devoured the asphalt.' 
  Graeme Murray left Aberdeen at 2.45pm yesterday with his daughter Ella, 16, who was hoping to catch a flight to Dublin from Glasgow for an under-17s netball competition.
  Speaking at around 10pm, the 49-year-old legal commercial director said: 'Everything was going well until just after Gleneagles, then we hit the traffic jam at 5.05pm and have been here ever since.
  'We have no idea what's happening, we're just getting messages from home. I think we're going to get ready to spend the night here.'
  HGV driver Alex Downie from Dundee said he had been stuck on the M80 near Castlecary since 5pm on Wednesday.
  He told BBC Radio Scotland: 'The northbound M80 is moving but southbound we have been stationary, I haven't moved since 5.10 last night.
  'A few volunteer people came up and down the roads, it must have been about one o'clock this morning, a gentleman came over from his house with provisions and passed them out to people in cars.
  'The police came round on the northbound carriageway at four this morning and informed us that the road was open and we would be moving again. 
  'That was the last police car we seen, that was the last information we had as well.'
  As the M80 ground to a halt, Traffic Scotland urged stuck motorists to stay in their vehicles, tweeting that police had deployed the Rapid Relief Team to 'provide welfare to drivers and passengers'.
  A jackknifed lorry also brought the M80 to a standstill earlier in the day.
  Police said the M80 was blocked for rush hour and much of the evening with an estimated 1,000 vehicles at a standstill at the height of the standstill, with tailbacks of approximately eight miles both North and South bound.
  Superintendent Helen Harrison said: 'We are now 24 hours into the red and amber-related advice not to travel on the roads and rush hour last night was noticeably less busy thanks to people heeding our message. It remains the same this rush hour coming - do not travel.
  'Many of those people who did go out yesterday faced treacherous conditions, blocked roads, being stuck in their vehicles or even being involved in collisions.
  'We do not want anyone to put themselves or others at risk in these conditions. 
  'We are continuing to run a multi-agency command centre at Bilston to co-ordinate the emergency response to the severe weather with our partners and keep Scotland moving as best we can.' 
  Drivers reported tailbacks on most motorways, including a 12-mile queue on the M74 outside Glasgow – shops, cafes and restaurants had to close because of a lack of staff and supplies. 
  The A66 in the North East was shut between Scotch Corner and Brough, while the A628 was closed in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire between Flouch and Tintwistle due to snow and stranded vehicles.
  Highways England said the A56 in Lancashire would be shut between the M65 and A680 for 'several hours' to recover a crashed lorry and clear the snow. 
  Temperatures plunged to a widespread low of between -6C (21F) and -4C (25F) overnight, and forecasters have warned it could feel as chilly as -11C (52F) during the day as the winds continue to strengthen.

• Highways England response vehicle catches fire on a snow-hit motorway while trying to help drivers

• A Highways England response vehicle trying to help drivers on a snow-hit motorway caught on fire today.

  The traffic officer patrol vehicle was working to help vehicles on the M62 near Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

  The incident happened at Junction 22 on the border between Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire.
• Gusts of up to 60mph could also bring 'blizzard-like conditions'.
• Scottish Borders Council said snowploughs had been out overnight on key routes, although further snow and drifts meant many routes are 'extremely hazardous'. 
  'Please avoid travelling during the Amber weather warning period, which runs until 6pm,' the council tweeted.
  East Lothian Council said teams had been focusing on priority routes. 'It has been a difficult night and conditions likely to remain challenging in hours ahead,' the council tweeted.
  Police Scotland advised only emergency workers should travel after bad weather left 'many drivers trapped in vehicles for long periods'.
  The force tweeted: 'Todays advice: don't travel unless you're an emergency worker. #REDALERT remains till 10am and at best will reduce to yellow.
  'Many drivers trapped in vehicles for long periods. Public transport disruption all day check @trafficscotland @ScotRail and radio for updates.'
  Scotland's Transport Minister Humza Yousaf MSP said: 'The travel advice in the affected areas today could not be clearer - do not travel unless it is absolutely necessary to do so.
  'Even after the red warning is lifted, large parts of Scotland will still be subject to high level amber weather warnings for snow. This should not be underestimated.
  'An amber warning means there is a real possibility that vehicles and drivers will become stranded - something that we have already seen happen during this period of snow.
  'I strongly urge people to adhere to police advice by avoiding travel in areas with red and amber warnings. I also encourage employers to be as flexible as possible with their staff, allowing them to stay safe and avoid travel.'
  As well as the red alert - which has never before been issued for Scotland, England or Northern Ireland - amber warnings have also been issued for the north east of England and the central belt of Scotland, in place between 10am and 8pm today, and for south west England and south Wales from 12pm until 8am tomorrow.
  On top of these, yellow snow warnings have been issued for vast swathes of southern, central, and northern England, Northern Ireland and Wales - in place for most of today.
  Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said some parts of the south west could see up to 50cm (1ft 8in) of snow by tomorrow morning.'If you don't have to go anywhere over the next few days, stay at home,' he warned. 
  Paul Gundersen, chief meteorologist at the Met Office said: 'Whilst initially the snow will be patchy in nature, will turn heavier and more persistent through the afternoon and evening and it will become very windy. 
  '10-20cm of snow is to settle widely across the red warning area with 30-50cm possible over the hills and moors.
  'Parts of southwest England and Wales could also see freezing rain and for a time on Thursday night – a relatively rare weather phenomena in the UK. 
  'This may lead to widespread icy stretches, especially on untreated surfaces, leading to difficult conditions for vehicles and pedestrians.
  'The combination of the snow, very strong winds and resultant drifting will lead to long delays and cancellations of public transport and some roads are likely to become blocked by deep snow, stranding vehicles and passengers.
  'We advise people to avoid travel, keep up to date with the forecast and warnings and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities.' 
  In response to the impending heavy snow showers all schools, community centres and libraries in Edinburgh will be closed, the city's local authority said.
  Plymouth Council said more than 80 schools would be closed today, with more than 50 in Newcastle and 103 across Devon remaining shut.
  Disruption across the country's road and rail network is expected to ensue throughout rush hour today, with road closures already in place and alterations to train services.
  Several airports reported disruption due to the weather, with Gatwick Airport expecting 'a large number of cancellations and delays to flights'. 
  Glasgow Airport has announced it will stay closed for the rest of the day.
  A spokesman said: 'A severe amber warning advising against all but essential travel has been issued by the Met Office and will remain in place until tomorrow morning.
  'In light of this and the impact it is having on passengers and staff, including airline staff, travelling to and from the airport we will remain closed for the rest of the day.
  'This decision has been taken with safety o

  How rare is a Met Office red weather warning?

  The Met Office today issued a red weather warning for snow for the first time in England, just 24 hours after a similar warning was issued in Scotland.

  The two alerts are the first issued for snow anywhere in Britain for five years.
• f passengers and staff in mind.'
• The snow alert in January 2013 came as a succession of weather systems meeting cold air led to a period of significant snowfall causing disruption between January 18 and 25.
  The heaviest snowfalls occurred across parts of South Wales, with around 10in (25cm) falling in some locations, but much of England was also affected.
  The Met Office definition of a red alert is to 'take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the weather. Widespread damage, travel and power disruption and risk to life is likely. You must avoid dangerous areas and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities'.The ten red warnings issued by the Met Office since the system began seven years ago are as follows:
  • December 8, 2011: Wind in central and southern Scotland
  • January 3, 2012: Wind in central Scotland
  • July 7, 2012: Rain in Devon and Cornwall
  • January 18, 2013: Snow in South Wales
  • February 12, 2014: Wind in Wales and northern England
  • December 5, 2015: Rain in Cumbria and the Borders (Storm Desmond)
  • December 26, 2016: Rain in Lancashire and Yorkshire
  • January 29, 2016: Wind in Orkney and Shetland
  • Yesterday: Snow in central Scotland
  • Today: Wind and snow in South West EnglandEdinburgh Airport said it was currently closed because weather conditions meant it and the airlines operating there 'do not have the critical mass of staff needed to run operations securely'.Heathrow said it had 'consolidated' its flight schedule 'to provide more certainty around departing flights, and ensure the safety of our passengers and colleagues', while Gatwick said 'many flights are cancelled or delayed today'. 
    Manchester Airport said a total of 30 flights had been cancelled. The airport tweeted: 'Due to the continued bad weather we are seeing 30 cancellations so far today.
    'We'll update on these as soon as possible and provide a full list. In the meantime passengers can check our website and with their airline.'
    Ryanair said it has cancelled all flights to and from the following airports for the rest of Thursday: East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cork and Kerry.
    The low cost airline also cancelled a number of flights serving Dublin Airport.
    A spokesman said: 'We are doing everything we can to re-accommodate customers and we apologise for any inconvenience caused by these disruptions which are entirely outside of our control.'
    A spokesman for travel trade organisation Abta said: 'Customers who are overseas and whose flight arrangements are delayed or cancelled should liaise with their tour operator or airline regarding changes to their travel itineraries and new flight arrangements.'If their flight is in the European Un