Temperatures are expected to plummet to minus 12C this week, as the UK is set to freeze overnight following icy blasts from the north.
Areas of Scotland will see lows of minus 11C on Monday, with the cold air pushing across the UK by Tuesday afternoon.
The brutal conditions will bring snow and ice so severe that the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, and residents have been warned to expect travel disruptions.
The yellow weather warning has been put in place across England from Monday to Tuesday and has been extended until Wednesday for Shetland.
The warnings are for snow and ice, with parts of Britain expected to deal with rain and sleet.
Residents have been warned about the potential damage to trees, with concern for high-sided vehicles.
Forecasters have advised the public to expect travel disruptions to road, rail, air and ferry transportation.
Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge has said wintry weather would hit the UK overnight. The lows of minus 11C expected in the sheltered glens of Scotland on Monday will drop to minus 12C by Wednesday morning.
The whole of the UK will expect the coldest temperatures by Tuesday and Wednesday.
Mr Partridge said: “Wednesday overnight will be very cold for pretty much the whole of the UK, so if you’ve got plants that have gone out early, get them in tomorrow because the frost is going to be widespread in the morning.”
“There’s some cloud and rain on Wednesday onwards pushing back in from the west, so milder air comes in – there will be some snow on the front of that rain but it won’t last very long. Thursday’s main concern is how much rainfall there will be.”
There have been more than 60 flood alerts across the UK, with forecasters believing the influx of snow and sleet could melt and lead to flooding in certain areas.
It is thought that icy patches could severely affect residents in Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and North Wales.
The Met Office said: “Cold air spreading southwards across the UK, following a band of rain, sleet and snow, will bring frequent snow showers to northern, western, and eastern Scotland, as well as parts of Northern Ireland.
“Overnight, these will accumulate on some roads and pavements, with anywhere between a light dusting and several centimetres of snow possible.
“Between the showers, partially melted snow is likely to freeze on untreated surfaces leading to icy stretches.
“Wintry showers will continue through Tuesday, although by mid-morning the temperature on most roads will likely have risen sufficiently to reduce the risk of further accumulating snow or ice.”
UK Weather forecast
This Evening and Tonight:
Rain, sleet and hill snow around the UK early this evening becomes gradually confined to southern UK by the end of the night. Clear skies, colder conditions and icy patches follow, along with snow showers in the north.
Tuesday:
Early rain in the south soon clearing. Otherwise some sunshine at times, but also some showers about, especially Scotland and Northern Ireland where showers falling as snow. Cold and breezy.
