Britain is set to shiver in -9C temperatures later this month as a pool of frozen air over the Arctic makes its way south.
Forecasters and meteorologists are keeping watch on the polar conditions amid fears it could develop into a sudden stratospheric warming event.
It is feared it could happen in the coming days, triggering freezing conditions, snow and ice.
The hellish frozen picture would cause a nightmare for people relying on the roads and rail services.
With the looming spectre of more strikes, it would make a very unhappy new year for millions.
Weather maps from WXCHARTS suggest sub-zero temperatures could spread through Scotland and down into northern England with temperatures in central Scotland plummeting to -2C as early as Friday evening, dropping again to -4C on Sunday, reports Hull Live.
Exacta Weather forecaster James Madden said: "A Sudden Stratospheric Warming event is now looking even more likely to occur this winter and this could happen as soon as in the next 10 days or so.
"This will mean that the cold air over the Arctic will be given a route to cross our shores."
"If an SSW does set in icy weather could hit Brits around the middle of January.
"We could see some snow hitting parts of Britain around the New Year period, but this is likely to be restricted to the northern half of the country.’’
Some forecasts predict a collapsing Polar vortex could trigger a major freeze this month akin to the epic storm from February 2018 known as the Beast from the East.
Such plummeting temperatures could cause further difficulties as the country battles to cope with the cost of living crisis - with many still reluctant to turn on the heating.
It was just such a weather incident that drove the Arctic deluge five years ago with the UK covered in deep snow and struck with deadly blizzards.
In the meantime however the Met Office confirmed the weather is currently coming from the south and west and instead of being hit by snow, the country faces an onslaught of rain as "system after system" hits.
There are currently yellow warnings for rain covering swathes of Scotland and Wales, amid fears of potential flooding of homes and businesses.
Meanwhile bookies Coral has cut the odds on this month ending as the wettest January on record in the UK to 6-4 (from 3-1).
Meanwhile, the firm makes it odds-on at 4-5 for 2023 to be the hottest year since records began.
John Hill said: “"It has been a damp start to the new year, and with heavy downpours on their way, we have slashed the odds in half on this month ending as the wettest January on record.
"Looking further ahead, there is some positive news. We make it odds-on for 2023 to end as the hottest year of all time in the UK.”
