The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for the Midlands.
Mark Seltzer, a forecaster for the Met Office, predicted this could be the coldest December on record, with a current average temperature of minus 0.7C - five degrees below the long-term average.
A foot of snow is expected to fall on the Midlands and parts of the South East today and temperatures are unlikely to reach above freezing.
Train services across the country have been delayed and traffic on the M5 northbound is moving at a snail's pace, but traffic is starting to ease on the M5 southbound after several lanes were closed due to accidents this morning.
The RAC has urged motorists not to drive unless absolutely necessary.
• Get the latest weather forecast here.
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