Andy Jack and Rob Cole, Sky News Online
The big freeze is showing no signs of thawing with more sub-zero temperatures and snow overnight across much of the country.
Up to 20cm (8in) of fresh snowfall is expected to fall on the east of England, with London and the South East also being hit by more blizzards.
Kent Police said around 15cm (6in) of snow fell in the southern part of the county overnight.
A train on the London to Brighton line was stranded overnight and drivers were left stuck in South Yorkshire on the A57.
Several airports remain closed, including London Gatwick, which will stay shut until at least 6am on Friday, and London City Airport, which is closed until at least midday.
Severe weather warnings are in place across most of England and Scotland, with the heaviest snow expected to fall in the South West, southeast England and along the east coast.
Latest Weather Forecast 
There has been major disruption again on the roads.
Heavy delays are expected on major roads, including the M25 in Kent and Surrey. The M20 is closed southbound between junction 7 and 13 due to hazardous driving conditions and other major roads are closed up and down the country.
The AA says it has dealt with more than 100,000 breakdowns in the last week.
Forecasters say the cold snap will last at least until the weekend, with only a brief let-up from the snow on Thursday night.
Met Office map shows where the public have reported snow
Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang said the South East would see further snow today and further freezing temperatures.
"We have seen fresh snow overnight, including snow in the London area. South London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex have all been particularly badly hit," she said.
"Today we are going to continue to see a bitter easterly wind blowing more snow in across south-east London, Sussex and the extreme South East.
"Today London can expect a further 2cms of snow while another 10 to 15cms will fall in southeastern counties."
Lang said it would be another exceptionally cold night across the UK.
Temperatures fell to -18.6C in the Scottish Highlands last night and Lang said there was a possibility of -25C being hit in the Grampian area tonight.
Temperatures of -15 could be recorded in the snowfields of northern England.
On the railways, there are cancellations on Eurostar, Southeastern, First Hull Trains, ScotRail, East Coast and CrossCountry services.
Southern Trains suspended all their services this morning.
There are also major delays on all East Midlands train services and on the First TransPennine Express.
Cars and a bus abandoned in the snow on Reigate Hill in Surrey
National Rail Enquiries has set up an information hotline - 08453 017 641.
Britain's second busiest airport, Gatwick, will be closed until at least 6am on Friday.
A spokesman said: "Conditions have deteriorated considerably. Our teams are working around the clock to make the runway safe for aircraft to use and get our airlines and passengers flying again."
Planes stranded at Gatwick Airport in Sussex after heavy snowfalls
Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford International, Durham Tees Valley and Robin Hood Doncaster-Sheffield Airports are also shut.
Passengers are advised to check before they travel.
Hundreds of schools across Britain are closed. In Aberdeen, more than 50 have been shut. But many children in Edinburgh and Glasgow are likely to return back to school today.
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