UK weather: Winter back with a bang: Airports shut, trains delayed and roads flooded after snow and wintry showers... and freezing temperatures are set to last until EASTER Leeds International Airport closed until 6am this morning because of snow Commuter rail routes in chaos this morning after a build-up of ice on the 'third rail' from which trains get their power More snow expected in Scotland and north of England overnight By Luke Salkeld and Suzannah Hills Plunging temperatures, snow and rain caused another day of travel misery for commuters across the country as forecasters warn the wintery weather is here to stay until April. Leeds International Airport was forced to close overnight because of snow while parts of Cambridgeshire were flooded after 12mms of rain fell within a few hours yesterday. There was also chaos on the railways with thousands of rail passengers left stranded this morning as the cold temperatures caused serious disruption on a number of key commuter routes. Several south-east England train companies were hit by a build-up of ice on the 'third rail' from which trains get their power. Dangerous driving conditions: A man helps a driver come unstuck as snow causes havoc in Harrogate, Darlington, after heavy snow overnight Delayed: A police woman helps a driver stuck in the snow in Harrogate, Darlington, as commuters across the country faced difficult journeys into work because of the wintery weather Services in Hampshire, Surrey and Kent were particularly badly affected, with a number of trains being delayed and cancelled. Commenting on the southern England disruption today, Transport Minister Norman Baker said: 'It is disappointing that performance has been so bad in some parts of the third rail network south of the Thames. I am also disappointed about that lack of information being given to passengers at some stations. This cold snap was forecast well in advance and industry had the equipment and time to prepare for this. Passengers should not have to put up with this kind of disruption as they make their way to work on a Monday morning. The industry seems to have been caught wrong-footed again, and needs to take a close look at its response plans to avoid a repeat of the problems we have seen. Meanwhile, Leeds Airport was still shut at about 6am, causing a number of flights to be delayed or cancelled, including those from Heathrow and Glasgow and those going to Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin and Belfast. Passengers were being advised to contact their airlines and tour operators and to check the status of their flights before travelling to the airport. Parts of the south of the country saw heavy rainfall with Huntingdon racecourse in Cambridgeshire left flooded after more than 12 millimetres of rain fell on Sunday. Wet and windy: Huntingdon racecourse in Cambridgeshire, is flooded after more than 12mm of rain fell on Sunday In at the deep end: A JCB battles through the deep water to deliver carpets to the course hotel at Huntingdon racecourse in Cambridgeshire Two walkers and their dogs play in the freshly fallen snow as it continues to fall in Bradford, West Yorkshire Clerk of the course Sulekha Varma said: 'Fifty percent of the track is under water and some of the stables are flooded. Luckily, not all of the buildings have been breached yet and we hope the damage has been limited. The level needs to drop before we can start to get ready for racing. 'The next 24 hours are crucial and there's not much more rain forecast, just the odd shower each day.' Paul Mott, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said about 1.2in (3cm) or 1.5in (4cm) of snow had fallen in the Leeds area since midnight. No end in sight: People were left stuck in their cars in Harrogate, Darlington, as forecasters warn the cold weather is here to stay until April Winter wonderland: Bradford in west Yorkshire was covered in a thick layer of snow after several inches fell across the region overnight The Pennines was also badly hit by snow forcing police to close the A66 between Bowes, County Durham, and Stainmore, and Cumbria. A Durham Police spokeswoman said: 'There are currently tailbacks of traffic while this process is under way.' And weather forecasters warn there is more snow on the way with Scotland and the north of England are expected to see up to eight inches of snow build up between tonight and Wednesday morning. Temperatures meanwhile could drop as low as minus 15C (5F) overnight. In bloom: Crocus buds are barely visible after a heavy snow fell in Bradford, West Yorkshire, overnight A girl makes her way to school through freshly fallen snow in Eccleshill, Bradford, West Yorkshire The Met Office has issued a yellow severe weather warning urging those in the regions likely to be affected by snow to be aware. Tony Conlan, a forecaster for MeteoGroup, said: 'Most accumulations of snow are likely to be overnight on Tuesday. Temperatures could potentially drop as low as minus 10C (14F) or even minus 15C (5F), depending on how much snow we see and how the wind falls. 'It is nowhere near the UK's record low of minus 27.2C (minus 17F) but it will still be very chilly.' Stuck: Police help a motorist today in the snow, which has been causing havoc in Harrogate, North Yorkshire Skidding around: Drivers found themselves stuck, unable to travel up roads in Harrogate, North Yorkshire Difficult for driving: Foggy conditions were seen in Colchester, Essex, this morning, as the week began cold Misty: The foggy conditions in Colchester, Essex, this morning didn't stop this dog walker going out The Grampians, eastern parts of the Southern Uplands, the Lake District and the Pennines are expected to be hit hardest. Wales, the Midlands, East Anglia and parts of the South East may also wake to a covering of up to one inch of snow on Wednesday morning and overnight frost is expected throughout the country. Issuing a yellow warning for ice today and tomorrow, the Met Office said slippery stretches are 'likely on untreated roads and pavements'. With snow melting away during the day, commuters are facing potential disruption during morning rush-hour. Be prepared: Forecasters have warned that another cold snap is on its way - with parts of the country facing more snow and freezing temperatures Clearing the way: A snow plough clears the A66 near Bowes, Durham, where the road was closed for several hours due to heavy snow Unseasonal: A woman pushes a pram in Shipley, West Yorkshire, past trees that are covered in snow just a few weeks before they should start flowering with white blossom It comes as forecasters predict our wintry weather is going to be with us until April. A young lamb pictured in snow covered fields in the north of the UK Met Office forecaster Helen Roberts said: "It's cold for the time of year. Danielle Stonebridge, 21, a Guernsey resident, said: "I have never seen snow like this before, my dad can remember something like this when he was around ten years old. But there is just so much of it. Forecast: More snow is set to hit the north of England and Scotland overnight as forecasters warn the cold weather may be here until April This graph shows where rain has fallen in the UK this morning - showing heavy showers across the north of England and Scotland LEEDS AIRPORT: Flights delayed or cancelled, including those from Heathrow and Glasgow and those going to Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin and Belfast, after snow forced the airport to close until 6am this morning. TRAINS: Several south-east England train companies were hit by a build-up of ice on the 'third rail' from which trains get their power. Kent: Delays of up to 50 minutes to trains between Sevenoaks and Orpington. Surrey: Trains were unable to run between Havant in Hampshire and Guildford in Surrey. There were no services between Alton in Hampshire and Farnham in Surrey. Trains between East Grinstead in West Sussex and Oxted in Surrey were also delayed. Berkshire: Trains between Reading and Wokingham in Berkshire were also delayed and Sussex: Trains between Horsham and Three Bridges in West Sussex were delayed. ROADS: The A66 between Bowes, County Durham, and Stainmore, and Cumbria was closed until 9am this morning because of heavy snowfall. Drivers in Yorkshire also struggled on minor roads because of snow and ice.