Icy roads and floods still a risk as big thaw begins
Weather warnings remain in place, with drivers told to expect a "toxic combination of ice, snow, rain and sleet" on Monday.
Sunday 4 March 2018 19:54, UK
Forecasters have warned of icy roads in the north of England, East Midlands and Northern Ireland as the UK thaws following days of snow and biting cold weather.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning until 11am on Monday.
It said: "A combination of low temperature and surfaces being wet from rain, sleet or snow and a partial thaw of lying snow will lead to icy stretches affecting untreated surfaces.
"The greatest risk is expected to be in rural areas and higher routes."
There is also a yellow warning until the end of Monday for icy roads in large parts of Scotland and some areas could have up to 10cm more snow, with 1cm to 3cm in lower levels.
Meanwhile, thousands of people in southwest England as well as in the North East and North West are at risk of flooding as temperatures rise.
Rain falling on to snow and freezing overnight temperatures could lead to treacherous driving conditions for many, with the RAC warning the extreme weather will lead to an "assault course of potholes".
An RAC spokesman told Sky News: "We're expecting a plague of potholes once the snow subsides. It's a toxic combination of ice, snow, further rain and sleet."
The RAC estimates pothole damage costs drivers £100m a year, and said their members reported an 11% increase in damage from potholes by the end of December 2017, compared with the same fourth-quarter period in 2016.
There are also warnings that the weather disruption could have cost the UK economy at least £1bn a day, as people could not get to work and spending in retail and leisure was also hit.
Howard Archer, chief economic adviser to the EY ITEM Club, said: "There will be a hit to economic activity from workers not being able to get to their place of work... Construction activity will be hit.
"There will also be a hit to the economy from people not being able to go to shops, leisure facilities, theatres, cinemas and restaurants.
"However, the increased ability of workers being able to work from home limits the hit to the economy, as does the ability to shop online."
The Centre for Economics and Business Research said general output would fall 20%, despite the offsetting benefit of home working and the online industry, while energy production, which accounts for 8% to 10% of GDP, would be at least 20% higher.
"Netting out these effects leads us to suggest that UK output is reduced by about £1bn per day, compared to normal," it said.
The Environment Agency has three flood warnings in place - meaning flooding is expected and people should take immediate action.
Around 30 flood alerts - meaning people should be prepared for possible flooding - were also issued.
In parts of Scotland and Wales - where the snow is still thick - some towns remain completely cut off by snowdrifts.
John Sullivan, from Ebbw Vale, told Sky News: "We can see our dustbins for the first time in days. The sun is out and the snow is really starting to melt fast - the road outside is like a lake."
Some schools across Wales will be closed on Monday, including some in Blaenau Gwent.
In Ireland, which still has orange and yellow alerts for snow and ice in places, tens of thousands of homes have been left without water and power.
Some roads remain blocked by up to 8ft (244cm) of snow, and people are being warned to avoid all but essential travel.