Britain's Met office issued a severe weather warning today after heavy snow and strong winds caused dangerous driving conditions in Scotland and northern England.
Blizzards last night forced the closure of airports in Edinburgh and Glasgow but both have since reopened.
However a spokesman for BAA which runs the airports said both sites were experiencing extensive delays and urged travellers to check the status of their flights before leaving for the airport.
The Met office said strong south-easterly winds would continue to cause drifting of snow and warned the public to take extra care on the roads.
The weather conditions are expected to ease by this evening.
The BBC said 5,000 homes were without power in Scotland but they quoted Scottish Power as saying the supply should be restored by the end of the day. Snow also fell in parts of northern England but most central and eastern areas were dry and cold.