SIX inches of snow is set to fall across the country as yellow weather warnings for ice and snow have been put into place.
TheMet Officehas announced more freezing conditions today as temperatures plummeted to -5C overnight.
Residents across the north ofEnglandshould brace for more frosty conditions over the weekend.
A freezing “artic maritime air mass” has brought the cold weather to the UK, according to the forecaster.
Snow and ice alerts came into place across the north of England and Scotland from 4pm yesterday until 10am this morning, while the rest of the country is under a separate ice warning.
Strong winds, rain and snow has swept in from the west across the north of the UK and Northern Ireland, with 10-15cm of snow expected to hit parts of Scotland and northern England.
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Most of Wales as well as central and southern England have been hit with a yellow ice warning which was put in place at 5pm yesterday.
The cold weather has already caused travel disruptions with the A66 road shut between Bowes in County Durham and Brough in Cumbria due to heavy snowfall.
National Highways said they have crews on the scene “working to clear and treat the carriageway”.
This comes after Swathes of Midlands andYorkshireas well as North East andNorth WestEnglandwere hit snowand hail showers on Friday afternoon, evening, and overnight.
The Met have warned travellers that untreated roads, pavements, and bike paths will most likely have some icy patches.
Brits have been urged to not rush when walking to avoid injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.
Residents are advised to check their routes beforehand and account for any delays.
The Met Office said: “Outbreaks of rain spreading eastwards on Saturday night will fall as snow initially, even to low levels for a time, before becoming confined to higher ground as milder air arrives from the west.
“Temporary snow accumulations of 1 to 3cm will be possible at low levels, with 3 to 7cm possible above about 150m elevation, and perhaps 10 to 15cm above 400m.”
The UK Health Agency has also issued yellow health alerts across northern England and the Midlands.
The agency said the weather is likely to have “minor impacts on health and social care services, including increased use of healthcare services and a greater risk to life of vulnerable people”.
More rain is expected to fall on Monday and is set to continue throughout the week.
This follows a record-breaking rainy January as many areas of the country hit new monthly records for rainfall last month.