UK Weather: Snow blankets Britain with icy blast forecast
Snow has blanketed parts of Britain as forecasters predict an icy blast will send temperatures plummeting to -4 degrees Celcius overnight.
This comes as The Met Office warned that sub-zero temperatures next week could bring major travel disruptions to Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of the south.
In the coming days forecasters are saying a prolonged cold spell is imminent. Those in the north and south should expect to see the coldest temperatures so far this winter.
The Met Office has issued a warning across the whole of Scotland, Northern Ireland and south east England stretching from 9pm on Monday 5 until 3pm on Tuesday 6.
The steam locomotive Galatea powers north through wintry weather on Shap Summit as it hauls passengers traveling the Cumbrian Mountain Express
A three-carriage train battles through a blizzard at Slochd in the Highlands
A Labrador puppy runs through heavy snowfall in the village of Foolow in Derbyshire, Peak District, this morning
A light dusting of snow sits on the branches of tree in the village of Foolow in Derbyshire, Peak District
A spell of rain, sleet and snow will move east across the UK on Monday night and Tuesday, gradually weakening across England and Wales.
For some it might be a flash in the pan but for others it may cause disruption.
Some roads and railways may be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services.
As rain, sleet and snow clears Northern Ireland and Scotland overnight, ice may form on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.
The UK has seen an especially cold start to February with temperatures expected to stay below average for much of the coming month.
Snowploughs, like this one on the A9 near Inverness, were out in force today to clear roads in the Highlands of snow
Snow covers the ground around Stainmore, Cumbria, today as a band of snow heads across Northern England
Today has seen heavy cloud cover blanket the UK which has brought intermittent showers to both the north and south.
Overnight much of this cloud cover will break and most places will turn dryer.
But Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and East Anglia may still see some showers even as clouds dissipate.
There will be highs of around 3 or 4 degrees Celsius in the east and 8 in the west.
At night lows of 1 or 2 degrees Celsius should be expected in the south while in the north temperatures could plummet as low as -3 or -4 degrees Celsius.
For that reason, the Met Office has issued a severe yellow warning for ice risk in the north and east tonight.
Ben and Naomi Heap took their children Bryony and Lochie out today for a spot of sledging at Glenmore as snow fell across the Highlands
Cars kept to low speeds on the A9 near Inverness today as slippery sheet ice and several inches of snow covered road
In the coming days forecasters are warning of a prolonged cold spell which is expected to see the coldest temperatures so far this winter
Walkers out on a stroll as snow covers the ground around Stainmore, Cumbria today
A yellow warning means that you should plan ahead thinking about possible travel delays, or the disruption of your day to day activities.
Showers and sub-zero temperatures overnight are likely to cause problems for road users - from north Scotland to East Anglia.
Tomorrow, icy weather is likely to spread across the UK. The Met Office warns of frosty conditions in London, Essex and Kent.
It says to expect rain, sleet and snow - all of which likely to fall over Sunday evening and Monday morning.
There are concerns that the snow could bring longer journey times for those travelling by road, bus and train services - while the Met Office also said that some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces are possible.
This could cause serious delays as commuters take to the road at rush hour. Commuters in the south are advised to prepare for some disruption. One or two centimeters of snow should be expected on higher ground.