Temperatures in the UK are forecast to dip as low as minus 20 degrees this week with deep snow and freezing conditions in the North East and Scotland causing widespread travel disruption today.
There is no sign of a let-up in the wintry weather, with bitter winds increasing and more parts of the UK including London facing snow in the coming days.
The Arctic conditions have been caused by a combination of light winds, snow cover and clear skies and could see readings down to minus 20 degrees in Scotland later this week.
The UK’s lowest ever recorded temperature in November was minus 23.3 degrees recorded in Braemar, in the Scottish Highlands, on November 14th, 1919.
The cold spell saw record low temperatures in some parts of the country over the weekend, with both Wales and Northern Ireland recording the coldest November night since records began.
The mercury at Llysdinam near Llandrindod Wells in Wales plunged to minus 18 degrees yesterday, while Lough Fea in Northern Ireland sank to minus 9.2 degrees.
So far Scotland and the North East have been worst hit by snow, with more than 40cm in parts, and police have advised people to stay indoors for all but essential travel.
Several airports were disrupted yesterday, with Edinburgh closed due to heavy snow and Aberdeen suffering delays after snow-clearing and de-icing took place.
Newcastle International, Luton and Jersey also saw disruption.
Premier League side Chelsea were among those caught out by the weather, with a cancelled flight from Newcastle forcing the team to make a 300-mile coach trip home after yesterday’s match in the city.
Forecasters warned the rest of the country is likely to be blanketed this week as the weather front moves west.
The severe conditions could also last well into next week, with rain, sleet and snow forecast.
Agencies