Temperatures are set to plummet to -3C as the first widespread frost of the season engulfs Britain and rain continues.
The UK will wake up on Wednesday morning to ice but plenty of sunshine, with subzero overnight temperatures expected for days to come.
A wave of high pressure will mean the weather is more settled for the time being after a stormy start to the week thanks to Storm Aiden and the remnants of ex-cyclone Zeta.
But floods are still a major risks in multiple areas after days of torrential rain, with the Environment Agency having issued 19 warnings and 28 alerts for Wednesday.
BBC forecaster Darren Bett said the next few days will be generally drier with lighter winds, as the southern half of Britain sees frost.
In rural areas, temperatures will dip well below zero with much of the south of England hovering in lower digits into this morning.
Mr Bett said any showers coming in off the Irish Sea will "soon fade away" and that it "looks generally dry and sunny for England and Wales".
Scotland and Northern Ireland could see more rain as the day goes on and the breeze picks up, though average temperatures will be in the 10-12C range, with afternoon highs of 13C.
"Those temperatures will fall quickly in the evening where we've got the clearer skies in England and Wales," he added.
The Met Office's long range forecast offers some hope with the weather to remain largely settled though "very mild".
"Dry and settled weather continues into the weekend for most, although some rain is likely to push into southern parts by Sunday," it states.
"Next week will be a mixture of showery rain and dry interludes, with the rain centred over western regions, and it will become very mild."
The middle of the month will also see an "emphasis" on a "good deal of dry weather" with "temperatures likely to at or above average for this time of year".
UK 5 day weather forecast
Today:
Most parts dry with light winds and plenty of sunshine, though a few coastal showers are likely in the west. Turning cloudy and windy across northern Scotland later with some rain by evening.
Tonight:
Turning cold under clear skies across central and southern parts with frost and fog patches. Cloudy and windy across Scotland with some light rain and drizzle, mainly in the northwest.
Thursday:
Dry for most. Plenty of sunshine in the south, though fog patches may be slow to clear in places. Cloudier in the north with a little drizzle over northwestern hills.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Quiet on Friday and Saturday with mostly light winds and a mix of sunny spells, cloud, and some morning fog. Breezier with outbreaks of rain on Sunday. Slowly turning milder.
