LIVE: Portsmouth hit by heavy snowfall

Here are some tips from a Portsmouth GP about keeping healthy and well in this weather.

Dr Elizabeth Fellows, the urgent care GP lead for the area’s clinical commissioning groups, said: ‘If you are planning to go outside, dress warmly and wear shoes with good grip to prevent slips or falls.

‘If you or your loved ones are over 65 or have a long-term health condition, ensure the home is well heated and make sure you have spare medication in case you are unable to go out.’

Tips on how to stay well include:
- Take weather into account when planning activities.
- If eligible seek entitlements and benefits such as Winter Fuel Payments.
- Avoid going out in cold or icy conditions if at a higher risk of cold related illness or falls.

It's still snowing in some parts of the region - we'll have the latest forecast for you in the next 15 minutes!

Unfortunately some events have had to be cancelled because of the snow. If there's anything people should know about email us at newsdesk@thenews.co.uk.

• St Faith's Church in Portsmouth has cancelled the Mass and Stations of the Cross this evening and the Coffee Morning tomorrow.
• No.6 Cinema in the Historic Dockyard has cancelled its showing of Get Out tonight.

Away from the snow...

If you fancy a bargain, Toys R Us are starting a 25% sale, including at their store in Portsmouth's Ocean Retail Park.

It comes after the company went into administration last week.

Here's five-year-old Molly Foster enjoying the snow in Swanmore!

Send us your pictures to newsdesk@thenews.co.uk or to our Facebook page.

Is your child's school closed today? Many have already announced they will be shutting for the second day in a row.

Here's our up-to-date list: http://bit.ly/2CRqhIk

Here's the latest updates on our roads:

• One lane is closed both ways on the M3 between Winchester and Basingstoke because of snow.
• There is major congestion on the M27 near Southampton and into the New Forest.
• Many trains are delayed or cancelled, but bus services are still running in Portsmouth.

Morning everyone!

Looks like the Beast From The East is here a while longer! We'll be bringing you the latest weather and travel updates shortly.

https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/snow-kind-hearted-volunteers-offer-support-across-the-area-1-8399412

Traffic is starting to build on our major roads as people start to make their way home from work.

Here's the latest traffic on the M27 according to Google Maps - please take care as it does look like the snow is starting to settle there!

Here's the scene right now in Andover Road, Southsea.

Looks like the great rush to the supermarkets as begun - this was the milk section in Fratton's Asda earlier.

Are there any food shortages in your local supermarket?

The snow looks like it has arrived in Portsmouth - we've got some light flurries settling on the ground outside our office in Cosham.

You can send your photos to newsdesk@thenews.co.uk or to our Facebook page.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has announced on Twitter that it is closing for the rest day with snow expected.

South Western Railway has warned passengers of delays to its network this afternoon. Go to its website to see the latest information.

Finally, many schools across the Portsmouth area are closing this lunchtime in anticipation of snow showers this afternoon. We'll be publishing a full list of the schools confirmed shut on Friday later on our website.

Sleigh up Pompey! Big Blues fan Karen Gillespie and her family made the most of the snow in Woking by adding a new member to the Fratton faithful. 

Send us your photos to newsdesk@thenews.co.uk and we'll publish our favourites!

Out on the motorway this afternoon?

You can have a look at the state of the roads before you leave by checking out Highways England's traffic cameras.

View the cameras here: http://bit.ly/2oEa3y7

Maybe think again. Southampton Airport has announced cancellations on many of its flights today.

Passengers are advised to check the airport's website and Twitter page for the latest updates.

For those of you wondering, light snow showers are still forecast for Portsmouth later this evening.

Temperatures will fall to -2C, but it could seem more like -10C because of the wind chill factor.

Pompey fans planning to travel to Bradford for Saturday's game might want to turn away now.

Bradford's Twitter account tweeted a picture of their Valley Parade ground covered in snow, with the game set to be postponed.

Snow showers might not quite be falling in Portsmouth just yet but it has been elsewhere in the region.

If you've got any pictures, send them to us on Facebook or via newsdesk@thenews.co.uk and we'll share our favourites!

What's going on with Portsmouth's public transport?

First Portsmouth has reported minor delays to some services (Routes 2, 3 and Star 7).

Wightlink has cancelled some of its crossings this morning, while Hovertravel has suspended its service entirely.

What's life like if you're homeless and it starts to snow?

Our reporter Byron Melton went out to Portsmouth's city centre to chat to rough sleepers about the recent cold weather.

Read more here.

Here's the latest statement from Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the QA Hospital:

'Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust has arrangements in place for the cold weather and we will continue to operate services as normal as far as possible.

'Preparations are underway and our committed staff will make every effort to get to work. We are working closely with our local partners including Portsmouth City Council, Hampshire County Council and other NHS organisations to make sure we have a coordinated approach.

'We aim to run services with as little disruption to patients as we can. Services will continue to operate as normal unless we advise otherwise so please check our website and social media channels for details if you have an appointment. We urge everyone to take extra care during the cold weather and look out for vulnerable or elderly friends, family and neighbours.'

Luckily there hasn't been too much to report on regarding the roads this morning.

There was an earlier accident on the A34 near Newbury, but apart from that no incidents have been reported.

Make sure to drive safe! Call the newsroom on 02392 622114 if you spot anything.

Dozens of schools across the Portsmouth area have already announced they are closing today.

Click here to see the full list.

Welcome to our live blog as snow falls over the wider Portsmouth area.

We'll have the latest updates on travel disruption, school closures and the Met Office forecasts.