ARCTIC gales and blizzards were forecast to ravage Greater Manchester today.

Met Office forecasters were expecting temperatures to plummet and the Highways Agency was warning motorists to take extra care on the roads.

A lorry driver died after his vehicle was blown over in 80mph winds on the M6 at Tebay in Cumbria as winter returned with a vengeance yesterday.

Several inches of snow have been forecast for today and tomorrow in northern England and across almost all of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Met Office forecaster John Hammond said: "There's a pretty good chance that Manchester will see snow in the next few days.

"Some of the snow will be prolonged at times and some places will see several centimetres on the ground."

Temperatures could drop significantly tonight, leaving cars frozen and roads icy in the morning.

Greater Manchester Police has urged motorists to carry out a few simple precautions before every journey, including checking their tyre pressure and windscreen washer fluid, as well as wiping over all the vehicle's lights.

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