Britain braced for worst snow for four years

MUCH of Britain was warned last night to prepare for the heaviest snow for four years.

disruptive conditions could be found anywhere north of the thames Valley this weekend.

the Arctic conditions will hit after a day in which northern Britain was battered by winds above 100mph and a canoeist died in a flood-swollen river in dartmoor.

Snow across england is forecast until tomorrow evening. A second band is expected on Sunday dumping up to 8in over wide areas.

this would make it the deepest widespread snowfall in the country since 2013 when 15ft drifts cut off rural areas.

the Met Office has forecast up to 2in of snow by tomorrow anywhere from devon to the Pennines and up to 8in in Scotland.

the warning area on Sunday covers most of england from the thames Valley northwards, Wales and northern Ireland.

the Arctic conditions are due to winds being pulled south in the wake of Storm Caroline, which buffeted northern and western Britain yesterday with 100mph gales. Rail and ferry travel was disrupted in Scotland, while dozens of schools were shut and 17,000 people were left without power. Gusts of 116mph were recorded in the Cairngorms while 45ft waves battered Orkney.

A canoeist died after getting stuck under a fallen tree brought down by overnight winds on dartmoor. the man was with a group of seven tackling the dart Gorge.

the environment Agency last night warned of flooding and high tides carrying debris along the coast of north- east england as the storm passes into europe.