Britain’s cold snap ‘could last well into FEBRUARY’ as snow, hail and sleet blanket UK

Snow, hail and rain are set to sweep across the country this week as Britain braces itself for freezing temperatures expected to dominate well into February.

This morning saw a huge contrast in conditions for the east and west of the UK, with the latter hitting highs of 44.6F (7C) and the former freezing at -6C (21.2F). Wintry showers will hit London and the south-east in the coming days, with sleet expected in the capital.

Today the western reaches of Scotland as well as Northern Ireland had snow and the cold is set to spread in a south-easterly direction today, sparing only the east of England, which will have bright spells throughout.

But tonight it will be close to freezing across the entire country, bringing a frosty start tomorrow, which will be wet and windy the north of England as well as the Scottish Highlands.

Pictured: The first signs of snow in the Lake District as frost covers the summit of Loughrigg Fell and fog fills the surrounding valleys while Britain braces for even colder conditions 

Beach goers hit the seaside in Brighton, East Sussex, in their warm coats, scarves and woolen hats as cold temperatures sweep across the country 

Beach goers hit the seaside in Brighton, East Sussex, in their warm coats, scarves and woolen hats as cold temperatures sweep across the country 

The country kicked off today with a split in temperatures across the UK, with the east plummeting to -6C and as high as 44.6F (7C) in western reaches 

The country kicked off today with a split in temperatures across the UK, with the east plummeting to -6C and as high as 44.6F (7C) in western reaches 

The Met Office has warned that the only portion of the country to escape today's miserable conditions will be the east of England, which should remain dry 

The Met Office has warned that the only portion of the country to escape today’s miserable conditions will be the east of England, which should remain dry 

These brave swimmers decided to brace themselves against the cold temperatures this morning by taking a dip in the sea at the coast of Brighton 

These brave swimmers decided to brace themselves against the cold temperatures this morning by taking a dip in the sea at the coast of Brighton 

Two swimmers make their way back to the shore following a brief dip in Brighton despite today's cold temperatures as the UK looks set to suffer freezing conditions well into February 

Two swimmers make their way back to the shore following a brief dip in Brighton despite today’s cold temperatures as the UK looks set to suffer freezing conditions well into February 

This morning Norfolk had temperatures as low as -6C as deer are pictured at Sandringham where the day got off to a frosty start today

This morning Norfolk had temperatures as low as -6C as deer are pictured at Sandringham where the day got off to a frosty start today

It was a frosty start in Sandringham, Norfolk, this morning (pictured) but temperatures are set to improve in the east of England throughout today before conditio ns continue to plummet later today across the country 

It was a frosty start in Sandringham, Norfolk, this morning (pictured) but temperatures are set to improve in the east of England throughout today before conditio ns continue to plummet later today across the country 

That rain and wind will push in a south-easterly direction as we head into Tuesday, when snow is expected to hit the northern reaches of both Scotland and England. 

Wintry showers on Wednesday will bring hail, sleet and snow to the north-west of the UK. Temperatures were set to plunge heading into the weekend, but the expected cold snap from the east will briefly give way to warmer conditions from the Atlantic. 

Despite an overall improvement in temperatures heading into Thursday and Friday, the cold snap will materialise as January approaches its end – with lows of -10C. 

The Met Office’s chief meteorologist Andy Page said: ‘On Monday and early Tuesday, a band of heavier rain, hill snow and strong winds will move quickly south across the UK, followed by wintry showers for the middle of the week.

Temperatures in the western reaches of the UK were far more pleasant than the chilly east. Pictured: This morning's sunrise at Shipstal Beach in Dorset 

Temperatures in the western reaches of the UK were far more pleasant than the chilly east. Pictured: This morning’s sunrise at Shipstal Beach in Dorset 

Pictured: The mild weather at first light this morning at Arne in Dorset, where temperatures and conditions will worsen throughout the day

Pictured: The mild weather at first light this morning at Arne in Dorset, where temperatures and conditions will worsen throughout the day

‘Some of the showers will be heavy bringing a mixture of rain, hail, sleet and snow, most frequently across parts of the north and west.

‘There are then strong signals for a change to northeasterly winds towards the end of next week. As we go through the rest of the month and into February the longer-range outlook indicates it will remain cold and possibly very cold for a time.’  

The Met Office has revealed that the country could be facing freezing temperatures which will drag on for weeks, threatening even more disruption to commuters across the UK. 

In Darley Dale, Derbyshire, a Mini fell victim to the poor weather conditions yesterday and was left abandoned next to a gate covered in snow.

Three days of bitter cold in the Highlands has frozen Loch Fleet (pictured) as  the wintry weather is set to continue sweeping across the country 

Three days of bitter cold in the Highlands has frozen Loch Fleet (pictured) as  the wintry weather is set to continue sweeping across the country 

The cold conditions that have frozen Loch Fleet (pictured) are set to spread across the country with a cold snap that last well into February 

The cold conditions that have frozen Loch Fleet (pictured) are set to spread across the country with a cold snap that last well into February 

A foggy and frosty start to the day in Granchester, Cambridge, where rowers  braved the biting conditions this morning as temperatures look set to worsen in coming weeks 

A foggy and frosty start to the day in Granchester, Cambridge, where rowers  braved the biting conditions this morning as temperatures look set to worsen in coming weeks 

Pictured: First light at Granchester, Cambridge, where early risers were greeted by frosty temperatures and a low-hanging mist this morning 

Pictured: First light at Granchester, Cambridge, where early risers were greeted by frosty temperatures and a low-hanging mist this morning 

The frigid weather comes from a sudden stratospheric warming event at the end of December, causing temperatures to rapidly rise in the atmosphere, leaving open the possibility of an extended cold period.

Temperatures sunk as low as -9C (16F) in parts of northern Scotland as the weekend began, while in the South conditions hovered a few degrees above freezing. 

A cold front sweeping in from the North West on Sunday morning will bring fresh dustings of hill snow for the Highlands and Grampians in Scotland, and then the Pennines in northern England and Snowdonia in Wales as it sinks south, he added. 

Mr McGivern said: ‘The cold weather is here to stay for now, and there could be more significant cold and disruptive snow at times through next week. Still a lot of uncertainty, so we’re keeping a keen eye on that here at the Met Office.’ 

Public Health England suggested that during the cold snap, people should look in on elderly neighbours and relatives. 

Dr Emer O’Connell of PHE said: ‘Experience shows us that every winter thousands of people are seriously affected and even die from illnesses linked to the cold. Protecting yourself from the cold may seem like common sense but many people do not manage to keep themselves warm

‘If you know someone at risk, someone over 65, anyone with dementia or a heart and lung condition, or a young child, check up on them and see if there’s anything you can do to help. All of us should be heating our homes to at least 18C, keeping up to date with weather forecasts and planning our days around them – simple steps can really help protect against the cold.’   

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