prince william and queen: The big freeze begins with most widespread November snowfall in 17 years... and there's more to come

By Chris Brooke
Last updated at 4:15 PM on 25th November 2010

London facing two inches of snow on Saturday
Met Office issues severe warnings until the weekend
Commuters told to prepare for chaos on roads and rail

Britain awoke to the most widespread November snowfall seen for 17 years this morning.

Parts of Scotland, the north of England and areas down the east coast were worst hit, with up to four inches of snow falling.

Major roads ground to a halt as motorists struggled with the icy conditions. By 9am the AA had received 3,000 calls from stranded drivers.

Forecasters say today's snow is the tip of the iceberg and have warned that a 10-day freeze is on the way.

Even London could see a couple of inches of snow at the weekend, they predict, with daytime temperatures rising just a few degrees above freezing.

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Parts of Britain woke to inches of snow and icy roads today. The A1 in Newcastle (pictured) was reduced to a crawl

Rooftops covered with snow in Blaydon, Nwecastle this morning after overnight snowfalls... and there is more on the way

Rooftops covered with snow in Blaydon, Newcastle, this morning after overnight snowfalls... and weathermen are warning that more is on the way

A Met Office spokesman said: 'Snow showers have been falling all night across north-east Scotland, and down the east of England. There have also been some snow showers affecting Northern Ireland and parts of north Wales.'

AA Spokesman Gavin Hill-Smith said: 'We are expecting another busy day and a particularly hazardous commute for people this evening.

'People should try and stick to the main routes where possible and, when they can, avoid the more rural roads where black ice can be particularly treacherous.'

Last year’s record-breaking freeze began a week before Christmas, with snow and ice remaining in some northern areas for a month.

Icy conditions led to misery for drivers this morning as the A1 in Newcastle and a host of other roads were reduced to a crawl

People living in Throckley, Newcastle upon Tyne, woke up this morning to find a blanket of snow - and there's more on the way

Get out your gloves: Last night's snowfall was the beginning of a 10-day big chill, according to weather forecasters

Astonishingly, it seems that some local authorities have failed to learn the lessons of last winter’s long-running freeze, when a number were criticised for running out of salt and grit.

Many councils are still waiting for deliveries of thousands of tons of salt and some are so worried they have set up arrangements with neighbouring authorities to help out.

Preparing for the freeze: Workers shovel road salt at the London Strategic Salt Reserve today

Astranded motorist cuts a lonely figure as he battles with the elements near Castleton, North Yorkshire

Peter Box, of the Local Government Association, admitted: ‘There will be no room for complacency in the weeks ahead. The fact that many councils are still waiting for salt to be delivered is undoubtedly going to make a challenging time of year even more difficult.’

Northern and eastern areas of the country will bear the brunt of the icy blast, which was due to start last night. However, snow may also fall in the Midlands and is predicted to hit Wales and some areas of high ground in the South-West over the coming days.

While high ground in the North-East could see up to 10in (25cm) of snow over the ‘next couple of days’, there may also be falls of around 4in (10cm) in low-lying areas.

The Met Office yesterday increased the severity of weather warnings for the next four days. Heavy snow showers blown in on a brisk northerly wind could result in blizzard-like weather today and treacherous driving conditions.

Motorists on the North York Moors experienced the first taste early yesterday and the national park is likely to see the heaviest snow outside Scotland.

The Angel of the North statue in Gateshead has added visual impact through the snow-covered trees

David Mathewson clears snow from a vintage car on his garage forecourt in Thornton-le-Dale, North Yorkshire

A man shovels snow to clear a way to his road to his business premises in Guisborough, Cleveland, while David Mathewson brushes snow from a vintage car on his forecourt in Thornton-le-Dale, North Yorkshire

The snow showers will be predominantly in the North-East today but spread to London and the South-East on Saturday.

Snow should continue falling in eastern areas on Sunday too.

Freezing temperatures have already triggered the first cold weather payments of the winter.

Nearly 80,000 households will receive £25 each during the coming few days to help cover the cost of heating their homes.

Payments are made when average temperatures are recorded or forecast to be 0c or lower for seven consecutive days.

The forecast has led to a surge in rock salt sales of 1,600 per cent, according to B&Q.

Barry Gromett, a Met Office forecaster, said temperatures could plunge as low as -8c in some northern rural areas and were unlikely to climb significantly above freezing in many counties for days.

Several councils have recruited ‘volunteer snow wardens’ to help clear pavements, side roads and footpaths while gritting lorries concentrate on the main routes.

The RSPB warned that birds’ natural foods may be covered in snow and ice and urged households to top up their bird feeders.

William Hill expects a rush of bets on a White Christmas. Odds for a snowfall on Christmas Day in London are now 6/1.