LONDON, March 5 (UPI) -- A surprise snowstorm Thursday turned into a commuter nightmare in southern England as trains were canceled and cars got stuck.
A combination of snow, rain and low temperatures led to a thick layer of ice on the "third rail" on Southeastern rail lines, The Telegraph reported. All morning rush hour trains from Kent and East Sussex to London were canceled and train service on other lines was disrupted.
In Devon, at least 60 vehicles were stranded on the A30 trunk road between Exeter and Bodmin, the BBC reported.
More than a dozen schools in Devon County, where Exeter is located, were either closed or had delayed openings, the BBC said.
Most airlines reported only minimal delays.
The snow -- with accumulation amounts ranging from 3 inches to 8 inches -- combined with ice to make roads across Great Britain hazardous, police said.
Britain's national weather service had forecast rain, but the storm system hit colder-than-expected air, bringing snow, the BBC reported. The snow was then followed by wintry rain and sleet in some areas.
