A 'collapsed polar vortex' is predicted to bring 'severe' weather for Europe as parts of the UK are hit by subzero temperatures.
Frosty nights are in store in the coming days as the mercury plummets to the single digits across much of the UK.
This week saw snow fall in Bristol on Thursday morning, however the white stuff didn't settle and temperatures then rose to a seasonably warm 8C.
Now, meteoreologists are warning "severe" conditions are in store for the continent after snowstorms ravaged southeast France - and this will have a knock-on effect in Britain.
Nowhere in the UK will be spared today's (Sunday) chill, with forecasters predicting the mercury will drop to the single-digit highs across the country.
And frosty temperatures as low as -2C are set to grip central areas of central Scotland early on Monday morning, with lows of -1C for Glasgow.
Central Scotland and the Highlands will be dealt temperatures sitting around -1C to -2C overnight Tuesday too, reports the Mirror.
Meteorologist Andrej Flis told the Express: “The weakening of the stratospheric polar vortex is well underway.
“In the past days, the polar vortex reached 40-year record strength for this time of year. It would likely strengthen even further, but its rise to power was stopped and reversed, due to two pressure/temperature waves that press onto the vortex.
“That reduces the speed of the stratospheric polar jet stream.
“That is a strong sign of a collapsed polar vortex, and high probability of a sudden stratospheric warming event by the end of the year.
“What all this means for our weather? Well, a collapsed vortex always greatly increases the chances for winter weather towards Europe.”
Met Office weather forecast
Sunday
Rather cloudy with occasional showers across northern and western areas extending south through the day. Otherwise, fog patches slow to clear, but some sunny spells developing, best across northwestern areas.
Monday to Wednesday
Monday largely dry with sunny periods, frosty overnight. Some rain into the west Tuesday, elsewhere another fine day. Windier and less cold Wednesday; rain in the west, drier further east.
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