UK weather forecast: Deep freeze as warnings issued over snow and ice

Most of country will wake to freezing temperatures this week, with mercury plummeting to -8C in Scotland on Tuesday

Weather warnings of snow and ice are in place for parts of the UK as a deep freeze brings ‘tricky’ travel conditions.

The Met Office has issued an alert for snow between 2pm and midnight on Monday and for ice from 9pm on Monday to 12pm Tuesday.

Snow will fall in Scotland and northern areas on Monday, with up to 10cm likely in higher ground and strong winds will cause blizzards.

It is also predicted to fall in Scotland, northern England and north Wales on Tuesday, where small accumulations of 1-3cm are likely.

Ice will affect most of the UK from Monday night and most of Tuesday.

Forecasters have warned the wintry weather could cause disruptions to travel, as well as injuries from slips and falls.

Some ferry services were cancelled in Scotland on Monday morning because of strong winds.

Caledonian MacBrayne cancelled some of its sailings and warned others could also be disrupted or called off at short notice.

Skye Bridge was also closed to high-sided vehicles between 2pm and 5pm on Monday because of high winds.

The mercury fell to several degrees below freezing in some places on Sunday night, with parts of Scotland experiencing what was believed to be one of the coldest nights and starts to the day so far this winter.

But forecasters have warned Tuesday could bring the coldest night of the week, with -8C predicted in higher ground in Scotland, and lows of -2C in England and Wales.

MeteoGroup forecaster Peter McAward told The Independent ground above 300 metres in Scotland could see 4-5cm of snowfall this week, and the white stuff was possible on lower ground – although it wouldn’t lie.

“Temperatures will be a bit below average for the time of year this week but things will gradually become milder by the end of the week, with chilly, winter weather but temperatures around average,” he said.

Rowers surrounded by mist on the River Thames in Henley-on-Thames, Berkshire, after braving the cold on Monday, 21 January, 2019. (PA)

“It will be quite a bit colder Tuesday into Wednesday, and highs will probably struggle to break 5C in the South and 4C in the North [during the day].”

The overnight freeze blanketed the South East in a “particularly hard frost” on Monday morning, while areas in the North woke to freezing fog.

Some forecasters have warned up to six inches of snow could fall on higher ground this week, hitting Scotland, Northern England, Wales and perhaps the South West as early as Monday, potentially causing travel disruption.

Monday was predicted to be a sunny day for most compared to the weekend, although clouds were predicted to bring rain to Northern Ireland and western Scotland by the end of the afternoon.

After a cold day, things were predicted to turn slightly more disruptive on Monday evening, especially in the North West where snow and heavy, driving rain were expected to make journeys home tricky for some.

Those heading out first thing on Tuesday were warned to take care with an icy start predicted before a chilly day reaching highs of between 3C and 6C.

Wednesday will be another cold day, with temperatures struggling to rise to highs of between 3C and 6C after a frosty start once again.

The weather will start to change on Thursday, with milder air pushing in to the far West of the country – although for most it will once again be a sharp, intense frost to start off with.

Temperatures will reach highs of just 3C to 5C for many, but it will turn milder across the West with highs of 7C for Belfast and Stornoway.

However, the week should end with milder weather in general after a frosty few days.

On Friday there will be a lot of cloud around, with outbreaks of rain in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Although there will be a fair amount of dry weather for England and Wales.

It should turn noticeably milder on Friday, with highs of around 6C to 8C.