Final blast of the big freeze to hit rush hour tonight with up to four inches of snowfall due across UK in 12-hour blitz before the thaw
Band of heavy snow will sit over Midlands, North, Wales and Scotland before temperatures rise overnight
Up to 7ins of snow will fall over high ground in parts of the country, with many areas getting 4ins by late tonight
But Saturday will see temperatures soar to as high as 9C when snow and ice will start to thaw
On Sunday rain warnings are in place for most of the UK and heavy rain is predicted to cause flooding
Deaths due to cold hits double figures after man found dead in freezing Suffolk woodland
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The cold-spell that has gripped Britain for more than a week will give a final ferocious bite this afternoon as a band of heavy snow will sit over much of Britain and dump up to 4ins (10cm) over many areas.
Roads are likely to be treacherous during rush hour for millions of motorists trying to get home for the weekend, while rail services and flights could also be disrupted.
The Met Office has put out amber warnings for the north of England, east of England and East and West Midlands, and much of Scotland, where there are already blizzards. Yellow warnings hang over Wales, south west England and London and the South East.
It warned that strong winds will also lead to drifting and blizzard-like conditions, particularly over higher level roads in the north. Head of special operations at the AA Darron Burness said: 'It looks likely that the current cold spell will go out with a bang'.
This will be the final 12-hour blast of snow for most of Britain, with temperatures to reach up to 9C accompanied by gusts of wind reaching 50mph in exposed areas during a warmer spell lasting until at least Wednesday.
But forecasters now fear flooding tomorrow, as heavy rain moves in and rising temperatures spark a rapid thaw of the built-up snow and ice.
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Warning: Motorists are being told of more hazardous driving conditions through today's rush hour as queues were building on the M80 outside Stirling in central Scotland today
Biting: Two woman battle through the blizzards as the final snow of this cold spell falls today in Tanfield, County Durham
Treacherous: Drivers were caught in blizzards in Barnard Castle, County Durham in the run up to rush hour today
Up against it: Snowfall began again in Country Durham, one of many areas to face more huge dumps in the next 12 hours before the great thaw starts
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2268260/UK-weather-Final-blast-big-freeze-hit-rush-hour-tonight.html#ixzz2J0DUuECc
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