The Met Office is warning of blizzards with a four-day snow and ice warning – as motorists face being stuck in chaos.
A cold blast of air has pushed down from the Arctic and is now moving across the UK.
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Cold air is pushed from the Arctic. Credit: MET Office
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A car driver braved the icy A97 Rhynie to Huntly road today as motorists were warned they could end up stuck Credit: Michael Traill
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Bethany Austin and her son Ambrose 4 play in the snow in Huntly Aberdeenshire Credit: Michael Traill
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Fields in Cromer, Norfolk were covered in snow earlier todayCredit: Bav Media
Much of the country will be covered in frost or covered in snow and ice – causing misery on roads and railways.
Met Office expert Andy Page said: “There will be widespread frost this week and we could see some fairly deep snow in parts of the northern UK.
“Strong winds can occasionally lead to drifts or blizzards.
“Snow and ice will be disruptive and could potentially affect travel plans, make driving dangerous and roads slippery.
“It will be very cold with daytime temperatures in the low single digits for many.
“Nighttime temperatures will drop to -3 or -4 in many towns and cities, and it will be even colder in many rural areas.”
Andy added that weather warnings could change quickly – so Brits should keep an eye on the Met Office for the latest updates.
The UK Health and Safety Executive has now issued a cold health warning for England.
UKHSA head of extreme weather Agostinho Sousa said: “The temperatures we will see can quickly have a serious impact on the health of the over 65s and those with pre-existing health conditions.
“It increases the risk of heart attack and stroke and chest infections.
“That’s why it’s crucial to check on friends, family and neighbors to make sure they’re well prepared for the cold weather this week.”
Gloomy conditions mean motorists could face getting stuck amid widespread road chaos.
The RAC said it expects Monday to be the busiest day of the winter so far for vehicle breakdowns.
While the Met Office has already issued yellow weather warnings for today and four days in a row, it has now extended the areas affected to Wednesday and Thursday.
Earlier on both days, the affected area stretched across northern Scotland to Northern Ireland and then down the west coast to south-west Wales.
Now a mix of sleet, snow and ice could also cause travel disruption in northern England from midnight on Wednesday until midday the same day, the Met Office warned.
While the whole of southern Scotland is now covered in an ice warning.
On the plus side, South West Wales is not expected to be further affected.
The same original warning was in place for Thursday, but has now been extended to more parts of central Scotland, as well as more parts of north-west England and parts of West Wales.
A forecaster on X, formerly Twitter, said as much as two inches of snow could fall in some parts today.
The Met Office said snow showers were likely to affect coastal areas, with some places seeing 2-5cm of snow.
Drivers are facing a tough time and could end up in gridlock as arctic air moves in.
National Highways have issued a severe weather warning as snow grips the North West, with road users being advised to plan ahead and some rural communities warning they could be temporarily cut off.
Rail passengers on the Chiltern Main Line are also facing travel chaos after a landslide near Bicester, Oxfordshire.
The line between London Marylebone and Birmingham Moor Street and Oxford was closed as Network Rail carried out repairs.
Chiltern Railways has issued a “do not travel” warning as the line is not expected to reopen until 7am on Tuesday, causing major travel disruption.
Met Office meteorologist Liam Eslick said temperatures would be around 5C to 6C cooler than normal for this time of year.
Mr Eslick said: “Particularly to the north where we have these warnings, we are likely to see some disruption to travel.
“We would therefore recommend that people stick to main roads and avoid country roads where possible.
“These are places where there will be no filling or road cleaning in the next few days.
“So we recommend people take their time, make sure they get their cars done in the morning and go easy.”
He said, “So basically we’re looking at a strong northerly wind bringing in an arctic air mass that’s cold, bringing these winter showers.”
He said “freezing conditions” were expected, with maximum temperatures of 0C in parts of Scotland, and just 2C to 4C in southern parts of the UK.
The rest of the working week doesn’t look any better either, with the Met Office issuing four days of ice warnings.
Snow is forecast for windward coastal areas, mainly in Northern Ireland and Scotland along with eastern East Anglia and north-west Wales and north-west England.
These areas are covered by a yellow weather warning from the Bureau of Meteorology, indicating that there could be travel disruption in these areas.
People living in these areas can expect: “Some roads and rail affected by longer journey times by road, bus and rail.
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The National Highways has issued a severe weather warning warning that some motorists may be stranded Credit: Jordan Crosby
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Swimmer Maddie Craig wades through the chilly water in Brighton this morning wearing a woolen cap and gloves Credit: Brighton Pictures
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A walker dressed for the weather in Huntly, AberdeenshireCredit: Michael Traill
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Snow is forecast for most of the countryCredit: MET Office
“There is a low probability that there will be a power outage and that it will affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.
“There is a small probability that some rural communities could be cut off.
“Snow-covered roads are unlikely to lead to stranded vehicles and passengers, with delayed or canceled rail and air travel.”
Although there might be plenty of sun in the winter, it will be cold.
A sharp wind in the north and along the eastern coastal area will bring considerable cooling.
After sunset, temperatures will drop, leading to widespread, and in some areas, severe frost.
While it will remain mostly dry with clear skies, snow will continue to fall in the north.
Another yellow weather warning is in place for Tuesday, covering all of Northern Ireland and all of Scotland, as well as north-west England and parts of north Wales.
It is likely that the trip will be interrupted again.
It will remain cold and chilly for all, and there will be showers in windward coastal areas as well.
During the day, an area of more abundant rain, sleet and snow is expected, which will affect the northern regions.
While dry and sunny weather is predicted in other areas.
Yellow weather warnings for Wednesday and Thursday cover northern Scotland and Northern Ireland, then extend along the west coast, as far south as south-west Wales.
These winter showers will last and while there will be sunshine, it will remain cold with the appearance of frost and ice overnight.
Snow showers continue on the windward coasts throughout the week.
Temperatures are likely to rise late Friday with rain.
Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said: “Where and how much snow we get will vary throughout the week and weather warnings could change quickly, you’ll need to keep an eye on the forecast for your region for the latest information.
“There will be very widespread frost this week and we could see some fairly deep snow in parts of the northern UK and strong winds could lead to drifts or blizzards at times.
“Snow and ice will be disruptive and could potentially affect travel plans, make driving dangerous and roads slippery.
“It will be very cold with daytime temperatures in the low single digits for many and overnight temperatures will drop to -3 or -4 in many towns and cities and it will be even colder in many rural areas.”
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A cyclist braves the icy conditions in Richmond Park, South West London this morning Credit: LNP
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Properties in the village of Keele, Staffordshire, were immediately covered in snow todayCredit: Reuters
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Mother and daughter brave the weather as they walk to school in Scarborough today Credit: Jordan Crosby
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Commuters in Scarborough, Yorkshire, battled snow and freezing temperatures on their way to workCredit: Jordan Crosby
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A commuter on London Bridge in the capital was bundled up to face the cold this morningCredit: LNP
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Cars in Queen’s Park, North West London, were covered in a layer of ice this morningCredit: LNP
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A brave swimmer took a dip in the Serpentine in central London early this morningCredit: LNP
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Deer graze on frozen grass in London’s Richmond Park Credit: LNP
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Tynemouth Pier was hit by large waves on Sunday eveningCredit: Cover images
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