Big freeze stretches UK gas supplies as more snow forecast

[LONDON] The freezing weather entrenched across northern Europe will stretch Britain's supply of natural gas on Thursday as fresh snowfall was forecast for much of the country.

National Grid Plc, operator of the Britain's gas pipeline network, said there could be a gas deficit by the end of the day as lower-than-expected supply meets with elevated demand caused by the severe weather. While there's little prospect of gas running out, the grid offered to pay industrial users to curb consumption and short-term prices could jump again after doubling yesterday.

A weather system that's been dubbed Storm Emma is moving northward across Britain bringing forecasts for heavy snowfall through the midlands, northern England and Scotland. A red weather warning - meaning a potential risk to life - is in place in Scotland.

Commuters in to London faced renewed disruption on Thursday as dozen of stations were closed in Kent, southeast of the capital. In Scotland, major roads were shut and Glasgow airport is expected to stay closed until 11 am, according to the British Broadcasting Corp.

The cold weather is forecast to continue into the middle of March as Siberian air flow into Europe, according to meteorologists at Accuweather Inc.

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