Stay indoors and keep warm residents urged
People are being urged to stay home and keep warm as the freezing conditions look set to continue across the area.
The Met Office yesterday predicted the snow would dry up - but forecasters warned temperatures would plummet to below freezing causing treacherous ice on roads and pavements.
And they warned the heavy snow could return on the weekend.
Forecaster Chris Bulmer told The News: 'It will be bitterly cold over the next few days with temperatures below freezing.
'Friday and Saturday are going to be bitterly cold and there might be some more significant snow fall in the later part of the weekend.'
Motorists are being advised to avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary.
And residents are being asked to check on elderly and vulnerable neighbours to ensure they are surviving the big freeze.
Portsmouth council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said: 'The advice is to stay at home unless you absolutely have to venture out and to keep an eye on each other.
'If you know you have elderly or vulnerable neighbours, please check to make sure they are alright.'
Councillor Felicity Hindson, in charge of adult social services for Hampshire, added: 'Remembering the needs of friends, relatives and neighbours who could be at risk is essential.
'The elderly and those who are ill are particularly vulnerable during the cold weather.
'All it takes is a phone call or a quick visit to check on someone to ensure they have everything they need to keep warm and well.'
Services across the region were severely disrupted by today's heavy snow falls and the uncertainty and chaos is set to carry on until the weekend.
Dozens of schools across the area remain shut today and parents are being told they could stay closed tomorrow as well. The latest information is available on this websites.
Bus and train firms which were forced to suspend services to day say they are constantly reviewing weather conditions, and advised passengers to visit company websites for up to date information.
First Bus spokeswoman Karen Baxter said: 'The services will be reviewed on the hour every hour.
'If we can run services we will but we have to put the safety of staff, customers and other road users first.'
Stagecoach buses managed to start limited services this afternoon, but said the weather would dictate what they will run tomorrow.
Stagecoach spokesman Colin Ashcroft said: 'We will attempt to run services but we will have to see how bad it is.'
Despite the severe weather the Gosport and Hayling Island ferries kept running today and were planning to stick to their timetables tomorrow.
But roads were closed across Portsmouth and Hampshire and abandoned cars littered highways until late this afternoon.
Local authorities had gritters and snow ploughs out in force in a bid to keep traffic moving.
Portsmouth City Council has spread 160 tonnes of grit and salt on roads while Hampshire County Council has deployed 45 salting lorries to grit the main routes, and has 120 farmers providing snow ploughing services.
In West Sussex bags of salt were distributed to 100 key locations so roads and pavements could be gritted by hand.
Drivers who do have to head out are being told to take extra care and stock cars with warm food and blankets.
Derek Whittington, in charge of transport for West Sussex said: 'We are doing all we possibly can, but people can also help by staying at home if their journey is not absolutely essential.
'If you have to use the roads please drive with extreme care.
'We do have to concentrate our resources on keeping main roads open and safe, so would urge pedestrians to be particularly careful because we simply do not have the resources or staff to grit every pavement.'
Meanwhile councils are battling to keep front line services for elderly and vulnerable people going with depleted staff numbers as people struggle to get to work.
Hampshire was forced to close all of its day centres for older people, disabled people and people with learning disabilities yesterday and the centres are set to stay shut for the rest of the week.
In Portsmouth the Royal Albert day centre, Horizon and Portsmouth day centres were also closed today and will remained closed tomorrow, although a decision has not yet been made on whether they will re-open on Friday.
Councils are currently still carrying out home care visits, although Portsmouth City Council's domiciliary care service was reviewing the service every hour yesterday.
And in Hampshire people are being to asked to have patience with carers who may be early or late due to travel problems.
Meanwhile Portsmouth, Gosport, Havant and Fareham all cancelled rubbish and recycling collections today.
Despite this residents are being advised to put rubbish out as usual over the next few days in the hope collections will resume.
In Portsmouth housing area offices at Buckland, City South, Landport, Leigh Park, Paulsgrove, Portsea and Wecock Farm have also been affected by the weather.
Many closed today and tenants are being advised not to attempt to travel to area offices to pay rent, or contact area offices with any non-emergency queries.
Some libraries and council-run attractions, such as museums, closed early today and services could be disrupted again tomorrow. Residents are being advised to check council websites for more information.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
