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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

- Widespread warnings for icy roads across Scotland and Northern England

- Experts warn of 'Christmas syndrome' as staff use weather to stay home

- AA puts extra patrols on roads to coped with rise in breakdowns

- Up to six inches of snow expected over the weekend

- 18million cars expected to take to the roads over Christmas getaway period

- Next Thursday likely to be the busiest day for drivers

Struggle: Motorists in County Durham battled their way through the blizzard conditions on their journeys home last night as the freezing weather returned to the north east


Millions of families planning an early break will face dangerously icy roads and heavy snow as the Christmas getaway begins today.

With the start of the school holidays and the festive season many will be planning a two-week holiday.

But heavy rainfall yesterday meant councils were struggling to grit roads before freezing temperatures set in overnight.


Weathering the storm: A thick coat protects this stag in County Durham


Council officials said many roads would ice over.

‘These uniquely difficult conditions mean we cannot eliminate the risk of black ice, even on roads that have been treated.’


Familiar sight: A snow plough clears a road in Slayley, Northumberland, as forecasters warned of dangerous driving conditions


If you think it's cold here... A lighthouse on Lake in the U.S. (left) becomes a castle, compared to its usual look on the right


The warning came as business experts said that millions of workers will today begin a holiday that, with the bad weather, could last as long as 17 days.

Experts say that in many cases workers will simply use the excuse of heavy snow to make an early start to the break.

Phil McCabe, from the Forum of Private Business, said: ‘There is a danger of “Christmas syndrome” kicking in early.

‘There is a big risk that you will see a spike in absence levels among staff as a result.’



Dig out: A woman shovels away the snow from her driveway in Rowley, County Durham, today


Swan lake: A spot of skating practice was in order for these birds on Lincoln's Brayford Pool this morning


Airports, train operators and the AA confirmed that today will be the busiest day of the Christmas and New Year holiday.

BAA, which owns Heathrow and five other UK airports, said it expects 329,000 passengers to fly in and out of its terminals.

Last night, Britain was bracing itself for a second Big Freeze after the temporary lull which followed a fortnight of extreme weather.


Picture perfect: Snow covers an idyllic Moorside in County Durham this morning


Up to 6in (15cm) of snow was forecast to fall across parts of Britain over the weekend, with temperatures plummeting to -10c in some places on Friday.

Last night airports, rail companies and breakdown services put snow teams on standby as winds from the North Sea brought the worst December weather for almost three decades.

Thousands of schools were forced to close, flights and trains were cancelled and the AA said it came close to its busiest day on record with call-outs peaking at almost 25,000.


source: dailymail