Britain issues severe weather warning as storms batter UK

Britain's Meteorological Office has issued a severe weather warning, as more thick snow blankets much of the UK.

It spread into southwest England bringing serious disruption to road, rail and air services and cutting power supplies.

The average winter temperature in London is about 6 to 7 degrees Celsius. However, this year the temperature in January has been well below zero. Heavy snowfalls, with reports of more than 30 centimeters in some parts, has brought severe disruption to the country.

The southern county of Hampshire saw the worst disruption on the roads, with as many as a thousand cars stranded overnight in a huge traffic jam near Portsmouth.

Some people were taken to rescue centers but others spent up to 14 hours in their vehicles despite efforts by the army to clear the route.

Laura Bickerdike clears snow from a road in Kirby Hill, northern England January 6, 2010. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis