Brits are bracing for sub-zero conditions and a chance of snowfall this week as a biting cold front sweeps the UK.
The Met Office recorded temperatures of -7.9C in Altnaharra, Scotland yesterday as it predicted snow showers in parts of southern England today and tomorrow.
It comes after the weather service confirmed that a major sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event has taken place, of which the effects will arrive early next month.
There are also likely to be widespread flurries of snow that could be more than 30cm deep in central and northern Scotland.
Giving a forecast for early this week, Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said that colder weather will be setting in across much of the UK.
He said: "The high pressure sitting firmly across the northern half of the UK, but we do pull in a bit more of an easterly, and that will allow a cold pool to move in from the continent.
"Now there are some differences emerging at this stage from the various computer models about how far north or south this cold pool will sit, but if it's close to the southern half of the UK it will make it feel colder.
"It will also bring the potential for a snow shower or two, mainly around southern counties of England."
The forecaster added: "So a bit colder Monday and Tuesday, and the potential for a snow shower or two in the far south.
"But throughout much of [this week] really the emphasis is on dry weather with that high pressure in charge, and a lot of bright weather as well."
In its long-range forecast for March 3 to March 12, the Met Office also predicts a "small possibility" of snow moving southwards.
It says: "Later in the period, high pressure is expected to migrate northwestwards, increasing the likelihood of any wintry showers in the north and east.
"There is a small possibility of more organised rain or snow spreading southwards, with the west and northwest most likely to remain under a settled regime.
"Winds generally light to moderate, possibly becoming stronger in the north. Temperatures generally colder than average, with some overnight frost likely."
Maps from WXCharts have further suggested that parts of Scotland could see a 45 to 70 per cent chance of snowfall on Tuesday, March 7.
It comes as the Met Office says there has been an SSW, where the effects can take three weeks to impact the UK and can make colder weather more likely.
Mr Deakin said: “Colder weather is more likely, that is what SSW does it increases the chances of those slow moving weather patterns and increases the chances of high pressure close to the UK."
"It doesn’t always mean colder weather but it does increase the chances and it doesn’t definitely mean we are going to see some widespread problems from the colder weather."
Meanwhile, the northern lights were seen across the UK yesterday - and could appear again tonight, according to the Met Office.
The weather service tweeted a series of pictures taken by members of the public which captured the light phenomenon in North Uist in Scotland, North Wales, Cambridgeshire and Shropshire.
It posted: "A coronal hole high speed stream arrived this evening combined with a rather fast coronal mass ejection leading to £Aurora sightings across the UK."
In a separate tweet, it encouraged users to upload pictures of any other sightings using the hashtag #LoveUKWeather.
The Met Office also said there is a chance of seeing the northern lights again this evening.
