UK weather forecast LIVE: Exact time snow is forecast to hit as Met Office warns of travel disruptions due to ice

How to stay safe and keep warm during the cold weather

The UK Health and Security Agency has issued a cold weather alert.

The alert is aimed at vulnerable people and focuses on how to stay safe during extremely cold weather.

Their advice is to heat homes to at least 18C, wear extra layers of clothing and eat hot meals.

Friday will feel cold for Brits everywhere

Brits are in for a cold one today, with temperatures barely reaching above freezing in most of the country.

The Met Office said: “Despite some sunshine, temperatures will barely climb above freezing in some areas.”

And it warned: “Wintry showers are possible, mainly in coastal areas, giving a risk of ice in places.”

In pictures: Snow and ice blanket the UK

It was a very, very cold day yesterday, with snow and frost blanketing much of the country.

Residents in Scotland woke up to see Edinburgh covered in a light blanket of snow, while it fell particularly heavily in the northern regions of the country.

UK set to be blanketed in snow

The UK is set for at least a week of extremely cold weather, with temperatures set to drop as low as -10C, with parts of the country blanketed in snow.

Following a mild November, the sub-zero temperatures are predicted to continue well into next week.

The arctic blast has been dubbed the Troll of Trondheim because it swept in from Norway, where the city of Trondheim can be found.

Lows of -10C could be seen in rural Scotland, while rural England could get down to -6C.

Freezing temperatures prompt cold weather payments

Thousands of people on the lowest incomes will receive a £25 cold weather payment, the government has announced.

The payments are once a week and you can check if you are eligible on the DWP’s dedicated page.

The benefit is available in North East and North West England, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Coventry, Staffordshire, Birmingham and Brecon.

Have you seen any snow?

Snow has been falling, but mostly in the hills.

In Aberdeenshire, there has even been thundersnow — which is exactly what it sounds like.

Check out this Met Office graphic to see exactly where the snow has been falling (and thundering) from the sky.

Warm banks open across Islington as temperature plummets

According to new figures, a number of warm banks have opened in Islington, London.

The soaring prices of basics such as food and heating have led to the rise in warm banks, housed in locations such as churches and libraries.

Campaign group Warm Welcome has compiled a list of warm spaces across the UK.

The charity says there are almost 2,700 warm banks across the UK, with 197 in London alone.

Saturday to feature 'freezing fog' and 'severe frost'

You will want to wrap up warm if you are planning on heading out to watch England take on France this Saturday.

The Met Office has warned of freezing weather over the weekend, as well as wintry showers.

Its forecast said: "Staying cold or very cold, with further wintry showers, mainly for coasts. Freezing fog is also likely in places, this slow to clear. Severe frosts likely by night."

How to stay safe and keep warm during the cold weather

The UK Health and Security Agency has issued a cold weather alert.

The alert is aimed at vulnerable people and focuses on how to stay safe during extremely cold weather.

Their advice is to heat homes to at least 18C, wear extra layers of clothing and eat hot meals.

Friday will feel cold for Brits everywhere

Brits are in for a cold one this Friday, with temperatures barely reaching above freezing in most of the country.

The Met Office said: "Despite some sunshine, temperatures will barely climb above freezing in some areas."

And it warned: "Wintry showers are possible, mainly in coastal areas, giving a risk of ice in places."

In pictures: Snow and ice blanket the UK

It was a very, very cold day today, with snow and frost blanketing much of the country.

Residents in Scotland woke up to see Edinburgh covered in a light blanket of snow, while it fell particularly heavily in the northern regions of the country.

UK set to be blanketed in snow

The UK is set for at least a week of extremely cold weather, with temperatures set to drop as low as -10C, with parts of the country blanketed in snow.

Following a mild November, the sub-zero temperatures are predicted to continue well into next week.

The arctic blast has been dubbed the Troll of Trondheim because it swept in from Norway, where the city of Trondheim can be found.

Lows of -10C could be seen in rural Scotland, while rural England could get down to -6C.

Freezing temperatures prompt cold weather payments

Thousands of people on the lowest incomes will receive a £25 cold weather payment, the government has announced.

The payments are once a week and you can check if you are eligible on the DWP’s dedicated page.

The benefit is available in North East and North West England, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Coventry, Staffordshire, Birmingham and Brecon.

Have you seen any snow?

Snow has been falling, but mostly in the hills.

In Aberdeenshire there has even been thundersnow — which is exactly what it sounds like.

Check out this Met Office graphic to see exactly where the snow has been falling (and thundering) from the sky.

Warm banks open across Islington as temperature plummets

According to new figures, a number of warm banks have opened in Islington, London.

The soaring prices of basics such as food and heating has led to the rise in warm banks, housed in locations such as churches and libraries.

Campaign group Warm Welcome has compiled a list of warm spaces across the UK.

The charity says there are almost 2,700 warm banks across the UK, with 197 in London alone.

Weather turning quickly across UK as Met office issues more warnings

Due to clear skies, the temperature is changing rapidly across much of the UK.

Wintry showers are falling in coastal areas, especially in the north, increasing the risk of icy stretches.

There are also hail and snow showers in northern Scotland.

UK weather to get even colder in coming week

Current forecasts anticipate temperatures dropping further.

The unseasonable lows, well below the average for this time of year, are set to continue into next week.

BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood said: “Boy it's going to feel cold."

There are severe weather warnings in place across Northern Ireland, northern Scotland, and the eastern and western coastlines of England, among other areas.

Temperatures plummeted to -6C and -7C across much of the UK last night.

Snow and ice to impact parts of UK in coming days

There will be snow and ice covering much of the UK over the next few days.

The Met Office is advising people to heed warnings and stay aware of the weather.

They provided a useful graphic to give you an idea of where the worst weather will strike.

Will we have a white Christmas this year?

The Met Office has shared a forecast for later this month, and while things aren’t yet clear, can we expect a white Christmas?

The Met Office said: “The second half of December remains uncertain, but there are hints of a return to nearer normal temperatures.

“This would be associated with spells of more unsettled weather, especially for the south, and a reducing risk of wintry hazards overall, although periods of severe weather are still possible.

“Northern areas are likely to hold onto the colder conditions for longest.”

Five hours of snow to hit London

Following a remarkably mild November, December is feeling particularly cold, with snow predicted to fall over London for five straight hours.

A new BBC weather forecast says snow will hit the city on December 16 — next Friday.

The report stated that light snow would fall over London between 6am and 11am on that date.

UK set to be blanketed in snow

The UK is set for at least a week of extremely cold weather, with temperatures set to drop as low as -10C, with parts of the country blanketed in snow.

Following a mild November, the sub-zero temperatures are predicted to continue well into next week.

The arctic blast has been dubbed the Troll of Trondheim because it swept in from Norway, where the city of Trondheim can be found.

Lows of -10C could be seen in rural Scotland, while rural England could get down to -6C.

Next week’s weather forecast: Cold weather to continue

The freezing weather is set to continue into next week as we approach Christmas.

The Met Office said: “Cold weather is expected to continue through at least Sunday and into the beginning of next week, particularly in the north.

“Wintry showers will mainly affect coastal regions, with snow most likely over higher ground but perhaps falling to lower levels at times.

“By contrast, inland areas should see more in the way of fine and dry weather, with widespread frosts locally severe at times.

“While timing is uncertain for now, areas of cloud, rain and stronger winds are increasingly likely to progress into southwestern areas at times, with potential for significant snowfall along the leading edge of such systems.

“Temperatures remaining cold to very cold, with a chance of returning closer to normal across the south later into the period.”

Met Office warns elderly Brits of the dangers of cold weather

The freezing weather set to hit the UK this week is dangerous, especially if you are vulnerable.

Check out this advice below from the Met Office.