BRITS are bracing for a bone-chilling week after the yellow warning for snow and ice was extended across the UK.
The nation has already seen schools closed because of blankets of snow – and some remote parts left without power.
And the cold snap is keeping its icy grip on the country, with Arctic conditions threatening to cause further travel chaos this week while potentially forcing more schools to shut their doors indefinitely.
After temperatures plummeted to a numbing -17.3C, marking the coldest night of the year, more freezing weather is set to come.
The nation has been warned to prepare for a wealth of the white stuff to fall – with up to 10cms expected on higher ground.
The Met Office last night extended a yellow warning for snow and ice, covering northern Scotland and north east England, until noon on Friday.
Snow and ice warnings are also in place in the South West from 6pm on Tuesday until 10am Wednesday.
An ice warning is in place in East England from 3pm on Tuesday until noon Wednesday.
The Met also added a yellow ice warning in northern parts of Northern Ireland, including Belfast and Londonderry from noon Tuesday until noon Wednesday.
It is set to spell further havoc for commuters after the icy weather battering the nation forced road closures, train cancellations and even saw flights axed.
The weather coupled with the train strikes has created a perfect storm for travel mayhem as Brits battle to get to work.
Thousands of homes in Scotland have been left without power tonight in wake of the nosediving temperatures.
A major incident has been declared in Shetland as SSEN Distribution warned locals that full restoration was only likely to take place by the end of the week.
Forecasters at the Met confirmed temperatures were -17.3C in Braemar in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, officially making it the UK's chilliest night of the year so far.
And the weather service added that it was the lowest temperature recorded in December since 2010.
Brits were forced to bunker down on Tuesday as the cold crept in, which forced a string of schools to close.
Motorists have been told to only drive if absolutely necessary amid fears icy roads will cause accidents and long tailbacks.
Simon Williams, spokesman for RAC Breakdown, said “treacherous” conditions are expected on the roads “following a big refreeze overnight”.
He urged drivers in rural areas to “delay or even abandon their plans” to avoid the dangerous conditions.
And with nation-wide strikes, travelling by train is not a viable alternative amid the severe weather.
The UK will stay cold through this week with the risk of sleet and snow at times continuing, especially in northern and eastern coastal areas.
Met Office forecasters have also extended several yellow weather warnings for snow, ice and fog across Britain.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Matthew Lehnert, said: “The cold conditions will remain in situ during this week.
"In many places daytime temperatures will struggle to get above freezing, while overnight temperatures have the potential to drop below -10 C in rural parts of Scotland.
"Warnings for snow and ice will continue to be a feature of the forecast until the end of the week."
It comes as…
Met Office spokesperson Becky White said areas covered by the extended warning should expect a bulk of snow to follow.
She explained: "We could see a good few new centimetres of snow accumulation.
"We could see around 1-4cms at lower levels and 5-10cm on higher ground across the Highlands.
"There will be a risk of ice across the country over the next few days, but particularly tonight. There is a band of rain moving in from the South West, but it may turn into snow as it reaches land."
Brits may be bracing for more of the white stuff as snow could also hit England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland on Sunday.
But the Met Office said that any snow that does fall in these areas will "quickly be replaced by milder air and rain".
A Level 3 Cold Weather Alert covering all of England has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) until Friday 16th December.
Last night homeowners were promised £4 per kilowatt hour to switch off their appliances as part of the "demand flexibility service".
Energy firms paid customers to cut energy usage during the surge slot of 5pm to 7pm, branded "Peak Save".
The Electricity Systems Operator ran its fifth trial of the scheme yesterday, an event that was previously scheduled and Brits will be unable to take part in if if they have not already signed up.
British Gas, Octopus Energy and Ovo Energy all confirmed they would be taking part in the pilot run.
He said: "National Highways is committed to treating every road which needs to be treated – whenever it is needed."
Rod Dennis from the RAC said their teams were “exceptionally busy”.
The RAC said it received around 12,000 call-outs from stranded motorists yesterday.
That was the most for a single day since the company began uniformed patrols in 1901, including during the so-called Beast from the East freeze in 2018.
He added that this was 50 per cent more than what they would see on a typical Monday in December.
Schools are also being forced to shut or open later due to the freezing weather – find out if your kids are affected here.
The UKHSA is advising people to look out for friends and family who are vulnerable in the cold and to ensure they have access to warm food and drinks.
It stressed people should maintain indoor temperatures of at least 18C.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, consultant in public health medicine at UKHSA, said: "Cold weather can have serious consequences for health and older people and those with heart or lung conditions can be particularly at risk.
"If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you.
"In rooms you mostly use such as the living room or bedroom, try to heat them to at least 18C if you can.
"Keep your bedroom windows closed at night. Wearing several layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thicker layer."
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