The forecaster said: “We have a red warning that starts at 3pm today the first of March, continuing into the early hours of Friday morning for Southeast Wales and Southwest England. Image caption Motorists have been told to only take to the roads if it is absolutely necessary

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The Met Office said: "Heavy snow showers and drifting of lying snow in the strong easterly winds will become more widespread across the area later on Wednesday afternoon, through the evening and overnight into Thursday. Their guidance for Central, Tayside and Fife says there is potential for travel delays on roads, with the possibility of stranded vehicles and passengers and delays or cancellations to rail and air travel. Long interruptions to power supplies and other utilities are very likely to occur, along with damage to trees and other structures due to heavy snow or ice.” It follows on from another red warning which had been issued for central Scotland until 10am on Thursday which brought up to 40cm of snow in some areas. The United Kingdom's weather agency issued its highest alert levels for severe weather in northern regions of the country on Wednesday as Arctic atmospheric conditions continued to bear down, causing widespread travel chaos and forcing the closure of hundreds of school. “The last time we had the red snow warning was back in 2013 and that was for South Wales - they do not get issued that often.” He revealed a red warning for snow has never before been issued for Scotland, England or Northern Ireland.
The Met Office issues its highest level warning, a red alert for parts of Scotland due to heavy snow. It is the first time a red alert has ever been issued in Scotland, and only the second time anywhere in the United Kingdom.