UK weather - live updates: Britain hit by snow and ice as freezing temperatures forecast to plunge further

One of the coldest weeks of the year so far hits country

Met Office issues icy warning for the freezing start of February 2018

Snow will fall in almost every part of the UK over the coming days as forecasters warn to expect one of the coldest weeks of the year so far.

Weather warnings are in place for much of the UK as sleet, snow and rain are expected to sweep in.

Temperatures are a few degrees above freezing but may drop below -10C as the week continues.

The weather remains dry but very cold across most of the UK as the evening rush hour approaches, except in the northwest which may experience some rain. Snow is expected across much of the country overnight.

We have been bringing you live updates of UK weather warnings and travel conditions.

Today's live blog has now finished, but we will be resuming our live coverage tomorrow, as the severe weather continues.

Weather experts believe it will be one of the coldest weeks of the winter so far - and parts of the UK were blighted by sub-zero temperatures overnight.

Alex Burkill, meteorologist at the Met Office, said temperatures could hit “double negative” figures in parts of Scotland as the week, as one of the coldest week's of the year continues

Mr Burkill said we were in store for a "prolonged" cold spell, with low temperatures lingering for much of February.

“Cornwall and Devon are included in the warning and they don’t often get much snow. They could see some snow showers through Tuesday and Tuesday night," he said.

“We have got a few showers pushing in to eastern parts of the UK, in the southeast around Kent they are falling as a mix of rain sleet and snow.”

Weather warnings are in place for much of the country. Rain, sleet and snow are set to sweep the UK, with transport disruptions likely and ice patches potentially forming on roads and pavements that have not been gritted. Forecasters have advised people to leave extra time for journeys that may be affected.

Police in Kent urged drivers to be extra careful after they responded to collisions on the road after heavy snowfall.

Devon and Cornwall are included in weather warnings for snow.

Across the country, temperatures are likely to fall to between -3C and -6C during the day and be slightly higher during the day. Tuesday night is set to be especially cold.

Many woke up today to wintry showers, with warnings in place to watch out for ice on untreated roads, in the east and southeast of England.

The rest of Monday will stay mostly dry, forecasters say, but snowy showers are expected to move southeast through Tuesday night from Scotland and Northern Ireland, into northern England and Wales.

Frosty showers and are also set to hit the west of the country in the early hours of Wednesday.

Forecasters said we may see around one to three centimetres of snow in most affected places, but there could be as much as 10cm in parts of Northern Ireland.

Key Points

• Reports of snow in London 
• The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings as snow and ice set in
• Drivers have been warned to take extra care on the roads after a series of crashes on the M20

[5 February 2018 10:10 · Alina Polianskaya]

Welcome to The Independent's live updates on the severe weather across the UK. Snow, sleet and rain sweep the country and travel disruptions are expected.

[5 February 2018 10:10 · Alina Polianskaya]

Several collisions took place on the M20 as snowy showers hit Kent, as the UK prepared itself for one of the coldest week's of the year. Read more here.

[5 February 2018 10:53 · Alina Polianskaya]

  ↵ The Met Office have warned drivers to take extra care on the M20 as there is snow on the sides of the road.

[5 February 2018 11:15 · Alina Polianskaya]

A yellow weather warning for snow, sleet and hail has been extended further east. 

[5 February 2018 11:43 · Jon di Paolo]

Police across the country have sent out advice to motorists. Taking extra care, leaving additional time for journeys, defrosting windows properly and bringing warm clothes are among the top tips.

[5 February 2018 11:45 · Jon di Paolo]

[5 February 2018 11:47 · Jon di Paolo]

Though it may appear sunny, forecasters say it is probably colder than it looks, so wrapping up warm is a good idea. 

[5 February 2018 11:50 · Jon di Paolo]

Parts of the UK, such as the North Pennines were blanketed in snow over the weekend. More parts of the UK can expect to see snow in the next couple of days, forecasters say.

[5 February 2018 11:55 · Jon di Paolo]

Southern Rail have reported some delays on their train network due to the frosty weather. 

[5 February 2018 11:59 · Jon di Paolo]

Reports of a sprinkling of snow in parts of London including Greenwich.