Arctic conditions could bring temperatures as low as -11C as the big breeze hits the UK.
This week temperatures are likely to plummet well below freezing, with many parts of the country seeing weather colder than Iceland. Four inches of snow and ice are likely to cover parts of the country over the next week.
A high-pressure system hanging over Scandinavia pushing freezing winds across to the UK.
The weather warning has been upgraded by the Met Office to level three. Explaining that England is 100 per cent likely to experience ‘severe’ conditions over the next seven days.
The army are already on standby incase level four ‘a major cold weather incident’ sets in.
According to the Met Office temperatures will drop to as low as -6C (21.2F) tomorrow and on Thursday, when daytime maximums will be no more than 3C (37.4F).
This is likely to be the longest spell of cold weather this winter, experts say.
Clare Allen, forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: ‘We’ve got an easterly wind across the country bringing snow showers off the North Sea.
‘Most areas of the UK will see daytime maximum temperatures of 2C (35.6F) and 3C.
‘London will be a maximum of 4C (39.2F), so it’s going to be pretty cold.’
BBC Radio 5 Live reported that temperatures could fall as low as -11C.
Paul Mott, forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: ‘The nights will be really cold throughout the week and there will be the occasional snow shower over the eastern counties of England, eastern Scotland and even London.’
Police in the south have warned drivers in some parts of the country not to travel unless it is vital after snowfall over the higher areas of Exmoor and Dartmoor.
Mr Mott said: ‘There has been a sprinkling of snow overnight over parts of Wales, Devon, Somerset and Hampshire.
‘It has mainly been over hills – with accumulations of up to 5cm in some areas – but there have also been some falls on lower ground locally.
‘There will be some fairly wet snow falling over the hills of Gloucestershire, Somerset and south Wales this morning but it will struggle to settle so shouldn’t cause too many transport problems,’ Mott said.
