Brits have been warned to dig out their winter gloves and hats today as a new period of freezing cold weather hits.
Subzero temperatures have been recorded in towns and cities across the UK overnight, with icy conditions expected to combine with snow in some areas on Wednesday as Arctic air continues to move in.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for ice for Wednesday and Thursday, which will be in force in parts of Wales, Northern Ireland and England’s east coast.
A further warning for snow and ice will also be in place in Northern Scotland and the Western Isles.
The UK Health and Security Agency has also given a cold weather alert recommending people warm their homes to at least 18C.
The cold snap has led the Met Office to issue its own advice on wrapping up warm, with the weather agency writing on Twitter : “If you haven’t already, it’s time to dig out the winter hats, gloves and scarves – as Wednesday is looking cold.”
Forecaster Oli Claydon meanwhile said: “Day to day we are in cold conditions already with that north-easterly flow, but conditions are set to get colder through the week, with the worst showers across northern Scotland but also bringing much colder conditions across all the UK.
“Overnight lows of minus 10 to minus 11 (12.2F) in areas where we do get snow in those rural parts of Scotland, with temperatures down to minus six (21.2F) in rural England."
He added that cold conditions would "remain through the weekend", with some signs of warmer weather as a new front moves in from the southwest next Tuesday.
Snow showers and ice may cause travel disruption and a risk of slippery surfaces on roads and pavements.
UK weather forecast:
Cold with wintry showers.
Today:
Wintry showers affecting northern Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and eastern England, with snow settling on hills in the north. Mostly sunny elsewhere but feeling cold.
Tonight:
Widespread frost with some icy surfaces. Sleet and snow showers most frequent across northern Scotland, but also affecting parts of Northern Ireland, north Wales and eastern England at times.
Thursday:
Frequent snow showers northern Scotland may extend to other parts of northern Britain, with a risk of wintry showers across the far west too. Crisp and cold elsewhere.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Remaining very cold with widespread, locally severe overnight frost and patchy freezing fog. Wintry showers will mostly affect coasts, with many inland areas dry with sunny spells.
