Britain is braced for the big freeze this morning, as forecasters warn a -9C polar blast will create a super-cold start to the day.
Temperatures plummeted across the UK yesterday, with people across the South East waking to ice, sleet and snow showers.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for ice across all southern England and South Wales today, amid fears of travel chaos.
There are even concerns temperatures could plummet to -9C north of the border today.
Met Office expert Stephen Dixon said the sudden polar plunge was due to cold air from the North and East replacing wet westerly air.
He said: “It is a cold regime and that theme continues for much of the week. Temperatures through the week will remain below average for this time of year.”
“If you do have to travel in icy conditions, plan your route, and check for delays and road closures. If you are driving, look out for potential hazards and keep your speed down. Using a higher gear may be more appropriate.”
Paul Gundersen, Met Office chief forecaster, said: “High pressure is dominating our weather, sitting up to the North East. That will bring a real chill across the South but will also bring in some snow showers across southern areas of England and South Wales.”
Today will be chilly but bright across England all day with the maximum temperature set to reach 6C as “ice and small amounts of snow” cause icy patches on some roads and could lead to people falling on slippery surfaces.
Images taken across England, from Kent to County Durham, showed people going for walks almost blinded by flurries of snowflakes yesterday.
The Mayor of London has activated the emergency severe weather plan to protect homeless people in the capital as temperatures are forecast to fall below freezing tonight. Sadiq Khan put in place the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol for the first time this year yesterday.
An amber cold health alert for the North West, West Midlands, East Midlands and South West is also in place from now until noon on Friday.
There is also a yellow cold health alert in place for the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, the East of England and London.
And flooding is also still a risk. The Environment Agency warned that it will continue on parts of the River Trent and along the Thames and Severn until tomorrow.
Last week, Storm Henk’s downpours left swathes of the UK facing flooding hell, with major incidents declared as rivers overflowed and towns and villages became stricken with rising groundwater.
Berkshire and Gloucestershire were among the areas worst affected.
In Maidenhead, Berks, resident Michael Kneafsey used a paddle board to navigate his flooded garden following the downpours.
The EA said 2,000 properties have flooded. Last night, England had 139 flood warnings in place.
