The UK is set to experience its coldest night of the winter season this week, thanks to an Arctic blast that is travelling from the north to the south.
Temperatures are expected to be 5C-6C lower than usual for this time of year, falling to -15C in some areas.
There will be a “persistent band of snow” across Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England and Wales, according to Craig Snell, a Met Office forecaster.
“In the early hours of Tuesday morning we’re looking at temperatures getting down to -12C in a few spots, Tuesday night possibly down to -15C,” he said. “So certainly a very cold spell into Wednesday.”
Northern and eastern parts of Scotland saw the “bulk of the snow” on Monday, with 15cm on the ground at Aberdeen airport by the evening.
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice for northern areas until Thursday.
It also warned of “potentially disruptive” snow and ice in parts of East Anglia, including Norwich, with a band of rain, sleet and snow expected in southern counties including Kent and Sussex between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
While significant snow is not expected in London, the capital will be “bitterly cold”, forecasters said, with temperatures dropping to as low as -4C.
The RAC, which said it was dealing with a record number of breakdowns, expected Monday to be the busiest day so far this winter for call-outs.
National Highways, the organisation responsible for motorways and roads in England, has warned that some rural communities in the north-west could be cut off for a short time by severe weather.
Amy Fellows, the agency’s national network manager, said: “Freezing conditions bring so many hazards such as snow and ice, so take every possible step to understand your journey in advance and allow lots of extra time when travelling to prepare for the unexpected.”
A cold-health alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which could have an adverse impact for the health and social care sectors.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, the UKHSA head of extreme events and health protection, said: “The temperatures we will see can rapidly have a serious impact on the health of those over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions as it increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.
“It is therefore vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the cold weather this week.”
The Met Office’s chief meteorologist, Andy Page, said: “Where and how much snow we will get will vary throughout the week and weather warnings could change quickly. You will need to keep an eye on the forecast for your region for the latest information.”
Another snow warning will be in place on Wednesday across Northern Ireland, northern and western Scotland, much of northern England and north Wales.
A Met Office spokesperson said on Monday: “The north of Scotland, including places like Aberdeenshire, will be most affected.
“In areas farther south, like Bristol and Plymouth, temperatures will reach about 4C, but it will feel colder because of the wind chill.
“We’re expecting to see this pattern for the rest of the week. Snow is unpredictable, so it’s worth keeping an eye on forecasts.”
