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Record Blizzard Cripples Britain

Chaos on highways, at airports amid White Nightmare

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 2, 2009 1:59 AM CST

(Newser) – One of the heaviest snowstorms in 20 years has covered much of England with a thick blanket of white, wreaking havoc with transportation. London is at a virtual standstill with all city buses withdrawn from service because of driving conditions, schools shut down and several flights canceled at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, reports the BBC. An extreme weather warning has been issued for England, Wales and parts of eastern Scotland.

Forecasters were predicting as much as 12 inches of snow through tomorrow, reports the Independent. Winds from Siberia were hitting speeds of 40 mph, making already frigid temperatures more miserable. "If your journey is not essential I would strongly advise you don't make it," warned an official.

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London's Big Ben in the midst of one of the heaviest snowstorms in years. (AP Photo/Akira Suemori)

The London Eye appears in a snowy haze in central London. (AP Photo/Akira Suemori)

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Unless you have extra clothes you are flirting with hypothermia. - Andy Taylor, Automobile Association spokesman

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Record Blizzard Cripples Britain