Snow has forced the closure of a number of schools in the Berkshire area this morning. 

The Met Office’s early morning radar showed an area of rain moving in from the south and west which was starting to turn increasingly to sleet and snow as it pushed north and east.

The conditions are being described as an Arctic blast, and are expected to bring more snow and ice throughout the UK, the Met Office said.

The forecasting body’s chief meteorologist, Matthew Lehnert, said the weather could cut off rural communities in the north and impact travel.

A number of national severe warnings for snow and ice were issued, with the Met Office saying further warnings, or updates to the current warnings, are “very likely”.

School closures in Berkshire

  • Garland Junior School
  • Highwood Copse Primary
  • Kintbury St Mary's Church of England Primary School
  • Mortimer St Johns Church of England Infant School
  • Shaw-cum-Donnington Church of England Primary School
  • St John The Evangelist Infant and Nursery School
  • St Nicolas Church of England Junior School 
  • Sulhamstead and Ufton Nervet Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
  • The Castle School
  • The Willink School
  • The Willows Primary School

School's opening late

  • Spurcroft Primary School - opening at 9.30am and there will be the cancellation of some classes today.
  • Bucklebury Church of England Primary School - opening at 9.30am.
  • Beedon Church of England Controlled Primary School - No breakfast club and opening at 9.30am.

All other schools have "no reported problems" and should be open as usual. 

What the Met Office said 

Discussing the 'artic blast' Met Office chief meteorologist, Matthew Lehnert, said: “Snow, ice and low temperatures are the main themes of this week’s forecast, with the UK under an Arctic maritime air mass.

Reading Chronicle: The latest cold weather is being described by The Met Office as an 'arctic blast'The latest cold weather is being described by The Met Office as an 'arctic blast' (Image: PA)

“Snow could lead to some travel disruption, with a chance some rural communities in the north could be cut off.

“The focus for the snow moves to southern England and South Wales tomorrow and some may wake up to a few centimetres of snow, with the south coast and far south-west likely to see a mix of rain and sleet.

He added: “During the afternoon, a further spell of sleet and snow is likely to develop across southern England and South Wales which could cause travel disruption into the evening.

"The impact of lying snow and ice on untreated surfaces may have an impact on Thursday morning travel.”