The Met Office has issued a cold weather alert covering all of England, warning of bitter cold and ice continuing at least until the weekend. The only respite in sight is the possibility of temperatures rising from Saturday.
Although western counties can expect a drier brighter day, a separate “be aware” severe weather warning, for ice and wintry showers falling as snow on higher ground, covers the entire east coast of Scotland and England on Wednesday.
Scattered snow showers are more likely than prolonged heavy snow fall, but the greatest risk is of overnight ice on untreated roads overnight, particularly in eastern counties, from melted and refrozen snow and sleet.
The cold snap, caused by northerly winds which increase the wind chill factor making the temperature feel even lower, is the longest in two years, and has been particularly startling in light of 2014 being declared the warmest on record.
The longer-term forecast for next week is for a slight rise in temperatures and lighter winds, probably bringing some rain and fog.
