London snow: Southeastern tells commuters to avoid peak trains amid ice warning

Londoners were today issued with an ice warning as snow hardens in the capital and around the south east.

The Met Office has posted a yellow warning for ice for tonight and into the weekend, though snow will gradually ease through the night despite temperatures continuing to drop below freezing.

Read more: Snowpocalypse – what to do if your plane or train is delayed by snow

Areas with snow on the ground, especially melting snow, will get the brunt of the ice, the weather office warned.

It comes as Southeastern railway told commuters to repare for packed trains with altered times and routes as the service switches to the winter timetable.

Southeastern recommends checking train journeys ahead of time, and avoiding peak services if possible by travelling earlier or later.

Weekend travel will remain unchanged, although the train timetable is subject to change if the weather worsens.

We're running our Winter Weather Timetable today. Train times are different and evening peak services will be busier so please try and travel earlier or later if you can to avoid the busiest trains. Check your journey now: https://t.co/IUacFCahEa #SEWinter pic.twitter.com/Nd3ka7bKU6

— Southeastern (@Se_Railway) February 1, 2019

Londoners can expect the chill to continue well into next week, with overnight frosts predicted until Tuesday.

While rain is expected on Sunday and Monday, the Met Office forecasts a dry and sunny Tuesday.

Heathrow remains open and fully operational, although travellers are advised to allow extra time for making their way to the airport and should still check their flight statuses.

A number of airlines have reported cancellations including British Airways, Swiss International, Japan Airlines and AerLingus.

Gatwick Airport is not experiencing any cancellations, Luton and London City are experiencing some delays, and Stansted and Southend are operating as normal.

A yellow severe weather warning for #snow has been issued: https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs. Stay #weatheraware @metofficeuk pic.twitter.com/gvIppZV2Lr

— Met Office (@metoffice) February 1, 2019

Much of the rest of the UK can also expect freezing temperatures, with a yellow warning for both snow and ice in effect until noon tomorrow.

Read more: Snow hits London as Southeastern warns of busier trains

Northern Scotland can expect snow to fall for longer than the surrounding areas, measuring up to 5cm and up to 10cm for higher  areas. The Met Office projects between 2cm and 4cm falling in North Yorkshire.

Scotland and northern England can expect even more snow and ice on Monday, although the snow showers will taper off by the afternoon.