- .Temperatures are set to plunge to as low as -8C today with a forecasters predicting icy conditions and snow
- .The blustery and chilly weather will continue into next week and with temperatures colder than Lapland
- .High winds and heavy rain has also caused chaos with as flooding hit parts of north Wales and Sussex
- .New Year may start with an Arctic blast to rival the winter of 1963 with some areas blanked with five feet of snow
Britain woke up to the biggest freeze of the winter so far today with temperatures tumbling to almost -8C in some areas, making it colder than Lapland with fears there could be four weeks of snow on the way.
The Met Office says temperatures could go as low as 8C in parts of Scotland , 1C less than northern Finland making it the coldest day of the year so far in the UK.
Widespread frost is forecast, followed by gales, snow, ice and rain this weekend. Yellow weather warnings were issued for a high probability of severe cold weather, icy conditions and some snow.
Riders took their horses out for a morning gallop across a frost and misty Newmarket Heath in Suffolk this morning on one of the coldest days of the year so far
The jockeys were wrapped up and even the horses were wearing coats to keep warm as they were taken out for their morning exercise on Newmarket Heath
Widespread frost is forecast, followed by gales, snow, ice and rain this weekend with the south and east of England expected to experience another cold night tonight
Sheep were out grazing on the frost-filled fields of Worthy Farm in Glastonbury next to the steel structure of the festival's iconic Pyramid stage
Cows were also out grazing on the icy fields in Glastonbury, as one expert warned that the New Year is set to start with an Arctic blast
‘Early Saturday is going to be pretty cold, and there is a possibility to see the coldest temperature of the year so far,’ said Met Office spokesman Dan Williams.
‘The previous low of the year was set on February 17. It was a low of -7.7C, but overnight we could see the temperature drop as low as -8C in parts of Scotland, around the Braemar area. Temperatures will be cold across the country and we could see freezing temperatures in London and the South.’
The coldest place last night was Eskdale Muir in Scotland where the mercury plummeted to -6.6C while one of the coldest spots in England was Benson in Oxfordshire where temperatures reached as low as -5.5C overnight.
One weather expert warned yesterday that the New Year will start with an Arctic blast to rival the winter of 1963. Some areas could be blanketed by five feet of snow, with night-time temperatures down to -15C.
Exacta Weather forecaster James Madden says a ‘colossal’ area of surface water in the Atlantic that is much colder than average will affect the Gulf Stream and leave Britain exposed to winds from Siberia.
The first rays of sunlight hit a cold and frosty field in the town of Tetbury in Gloucestershire this morning as the cold snap continued
Two cob horses stand in a frozen field in Tetbury in Gloucestershire. Today could be one of the coldest days of the year so far
Despite the cold weather, sheep were still out grazing on the frost and snow covered grass in Middleton-in-Teesdale. One weather expert warned yesterday that the New Year will start with an Arctic blast to rival the winter of 1963
A hiker takes their dog for a sunrise walk across the frosty fields of Crosthwaite in Kendal, Cumbria this morning in freezing temperatures
The cold temperatures didn't put off these walkers climbing over a dry stone wall in Cumbria today amid fears that Britain could be braced for four weeks of snow and ice
Fallow deer gather together to keep warm on a cold morning in a field near Bishop's Caundle in Dorset earlier today
The deer make their way through the long grass in Dorset. Forecasters say that the blustery and chilly weather will continue throughout the weekend
Forecasters added that the blustery and chilly weather will continue throughout the weekend and into next week.
Met Office forecaster Kirk Waite explained: 'Much of the south east of the country will remain dry and clear meaning a frosty night tonight could be in store.
'It will be slightly warmer in the north and west but they can expect one or two wintry showers but these will then clear meaning there will be a clear night.
People donned their swimwear and jumped into the freezing waters of Parliament Hill Lido this afternoon for the Outdoor Swimming Society's annual 'December Dip'
Around 400 people took part in the event with many customising their swimwear with tinsel, with an award being presented to the best dressed swimmer
One swimmer doesn't hold back and jumps straight into the icy waters at the Parliament Hill Lido 'December Dip' in London today
A man dressed as a Viking is the first in the water as he braves the cold temperatures at the Parliament Hill Lido earlier today
'The weather is very changeable at the moment and that is the outlook as we head towards Christmas.'
Yesterday, the snow fell as far south as Swaledale in Yorkshire and the Peak District.
Elsewhere the high winds and rain brought chaos to the roads and railway network as floods hit parts of Sussex and North Wales.
The Metropolitan Police helicopter took this image over London showing the Shard, Tower Bridge and the city in the winter sunshine once the early mist cleared
A steam locomotive travels through the North Yorkshire Moors from Goathland to Pickering on a bright but chilly morning earlier today
Two climbers took to Britain's highest peak, Ben Nevis in the Grampian mountains today, where the peak was capped with snow and ice
The climbers needed ropes, spikes and crampons to cover the treacherous ice-covered rock face. Yellow weather warnings were issued for a high probability of severe cold weather, icy conditions and some snow
A three-day forecast showing that the blustery and chilly weather is set to continue throughout the weekend and into next week
The three day forecast shows temperatures will range from 6C (43F) to 10C (50F) and will fall to -8 (18F)
Flooding had left trains in Wales unable to run between Machynlleth and Newtown. On the A24 in Sussex drivers had to negotiate flood roads as water levels rose across the county after a night of heavy and prolonged rainfall.
At Dover, some ferry crossings were hit by delays as winds in the English Channel gusted up to force 10.
The latest stormy weather comes after power was restored yesterday to thousands of homes left without electricity following a ‘weather bomb’ of gales and torrential rain which swept the country.
Forecasters said the blustery and chilly weather will continue throughout the weekend and into next week.
Matt Martin, a forecaster at Meteogroup, said: ‘It will be quite a cold snap with temperatures dropping away below zero under clear skies.
There were wintry conditions yesterday near the Spittal of Glenshee in Scotland as the cold snap continued but these children couldn't wait to play in the snow
In snow up to both of their knees, Jan Lidbetter feeds Tara the miniature Shetland pony near to the Spittal of Glenshee as a flurry falls around them
A stranded house in Welshpool yesterday after the area was hit by floods, causing chaos for commuters between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury
An office on the Welsh borders is surrounded by flood water after the area was lashed with heavy rain and strong winds yesterday
‘The outlook across the weekend is mixed with rain and snow over high ground in the north and that will drift south over Sunday.
‘However there will be spells of wintry sunshine for much of the south and that will see temperatures falling below zero in the night.’
Forecasters say the long-term outlook is for mixed weather going towards Christmas with outbreaks of showery and snowy weather across the UK.
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