New weather maps are showing temperatures of -11C, with a big nine-day freeze set to hit the UK.
WXCharts has forecast wintery weather to arrive on January 6, lasting until January 15 with low temperatures, rain and a chance of snow.
It will be coldest in Scotland and north England (Wick, Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Carlisle, Newcastle), dropping as low as -11C.
Temperatures will drop as low as -7C in north Wales (Conwy) and will sit between 0C and -3C in south Wales (Cardiff), Northern Ireland (Derry, Belfast), the midlands (Birmingham, Norwich) and the south of England (London, Plymouth, Southampton).
The Met Office said of this period: “Much of this period is likely to remain colder than average, with an ongoing risk of ice and frost.
“There will also likely be wintry or snow showers at times along coastal areas exposed to onshore winds, these occasionally feeding farther inland, but interspersed with some lengthy dry and clear spells.
“Some longer spells of rain, perhaps preceded by some sleet and snow, may push into some southern and/or western areas as Atlantic frontal systems attempt to make some progress into the UK, perhaps also introducing something briefly milder.
“Towards mid-January there may be a trend towards less-cold conditions more generally, but perhaps with high pressure nearby which could result in fairly settled conditions with an increasing chance of fog.”
Tonight:
Showers in the north and west, these wintry over the hills will move eastwards. Elsewhere with clear spells, temperatures will drop below freezing with a widespread frost developing for many.
Saturday:
A cold and frosty for many, however thicker cloud will spread in from the southwest during the afternoon, with a mixture of rain, sleet and snow pushing northwards overnight.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Rain, sleet and snow continuing to spread northeast on Sunday, turning briefly milder in the south. Colder but drier again on Monday with wintry showers, similar on Tuesday.
