The Met Office has warned that people all across the UK should expect a brief period of abnormally cold weather for this time of year.
A rare level 3 Cold Weather alert was put in place which will come into effect at 6pm this evening and will last until 9am on Monday. It comes amidst a warning of a 90 per cent probability of severe cold weather and icy conditions.
It also means that there will be an increased risk to vulnerable groups including the elderly and those with health conditions. Healthcare services are being urged to take action to protect such groups while other people are being encouraged to 'look out for family and friends who may be vulnerable to the cold' and ensure homes are kept warm enough to combat the cold temperatures.
Read more: Met Office issues yellow ice warning as temperatures set to plummet
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Rebekah Sherwin, said: "Temperatures will start to dip this week, with daytime temperatures struggling to get above freezing in many places from mid-week onwards.
"However, the cold air from the Arctic will also bring brighter conditions, with some dry, sunny spells in many areas, particularly away from the coast. Showers will turn more wintry as the week goes on with a risk of snow at times.
"A yellow National Severe Weather Warning for snow has been issued for Wednesday covering northern Scotland. We can expect to see some snow and wintry showers further south as the week progresses, particularly in coastal areas or over higher ground.
"There will be widespread frosts with temperatures falling to as low as -10°C overnight in isolated spots by the end of the week."
When will the cold period end?
While cold temperatures are expected at this time of year, the ones predicted by the Met Office have been highlighted as abnormal. While it is too early to say when temperatures will begin to go back to normal, the Met Office currently predicts that it will last into the beginning of next week, especially in the north.
It adds: "The second half of December remains uncertain, but there are hints of a return to nearer normal temperatures. This would be associated with spells of more unsettled weather, especially for the south, and a reducing risk of wintry hazards overall, although periods of severe weather are still possible.
"Northern areas are likely to hold onto the colder conditions for longest."
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