UK snow and weather: Forecasters predict temperatures could plummet to -14C

Motorists warned of icy conditions as bleak weather continues

Temperatures could plummet to as low as -14C in parts of the United Kingdom as the cold snap continues.

A Met Office yellow “be aware” warning for ice has been put in place across much of Scotland, Northern Ireland, the north of England, Yorkshire and the Midlands.

Snow is also forecast in some areas with heavy snow showers bringing up to 12 inches over the highest routes and up to four inches at lower levels.

Marco Petagna, from the Met Office told The Independent: "Last night Loch Glascarnoch in Scotland saw temperatures drop to -11.1C, which was the coldest temperature for the UK so far this year.

"Tonight rural parts of Scotland could see temperatures dip back to a similar value, and a local minus 13 or 14 is possible. The coldest temperature for the UK this winter is -13C recorded at Shawbury and Dalwhinnie in December, and so this record could be rivalled.

"In fact -13C was the coldest temperature recorded across the UK during the whole of 2017."

Police have urged people only to travel if absolutely necessary in areas covered by amber snow and ice warnings.

In Scotland travel advice has been downgraded from stage three to two on Saturday, meaning that people should still travel with caution and that conditions for road travel “may be hazardous”.

The M74 has seen delays due to the wintry weather and collisions, with travel officers warning other routes across the country could face difficulties over the coming days.

The Met Office said "be prepared," with amber warnings covering Tayside, Fife, central and southern Scotland and Strathclyde.

Police Scotland urged those who lived within the amber warning to stay off the roads when in.

Superintendent Louise Blakelock, of Police Scotland's road policing department, said: "If you travel on the road network in the warning area, you will be disrupted and you will face significant delays."

She added: "I would like to make it clear that there is a high risk of disruption for road journeys and with that comes a high likelihood of the conditions being very poor, therefore I would ask people whether their journey is really necessary?"

Forecasters said there is a chance of power cuts, while some rural communities may be cut off.

Commuters should brace themselves for heavy rain showers throughout the day in London on Sunday, as temperatures remain in single figures over the weekend.