In pictures: Icy blast hits UK as Met Office issues weather warnings

Britain is set to suffer the coldest night of the year tonight, according to the Met Office.

Yellow “be aware” weather warnings were issued around parts of the country last week amid fears of injuries from slips and falls.

Temperatures plummeted well below zero around the UK, with Topcliffe in Yorkshire experiencing -5.2C, and Benson, Oxfordshire, having an overnight low of -4.9C and some areas saw a dusting of snow.

The Met Office issued a yellow “be aware” weather warning for ice across London, the south east and south west of England, warning of the risk of injuries from slips and falls on untreated roads and pavements.

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The chilly weather is set to continue over the weekend.

Last Saturday morning National Rail announced it had been forced to suspend trains on a section of the Southern service due to “extremely icy conditions”, while South Western Railway services between Guildford and Havant and Basingstoke and Eastleigh were disrupted because of ice on conductor rails.

The North West Motorway Police reported sleet and snow on the M62 in the early hours of Saturday, while police in Kent urged drivers to be careful on the icy roads.

Public Health England warned people to be prepared as forecasters predicted a prolonged spell of cold weather.

Dr Thomas Waite, of their Extreme Events team, said: “We know that every winter thousands of people fall ill and many die because of exposure to cold both in the home and while outdoors.

“Those most at risk include older people, very young children and those with conditions like heart and lung disease.”

Snow in Teeside

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for icy patches and snow covering swathes of the eastern coast of England and northern Scotland and for ice in western Wales, Cornwall and much of Northern Ireland. (@woodmeister1003/PA Wire)

Scarborough Rooftops

Heavy snow has hit the Yorkshire coast overnight causing school closures and heavy delays. (@KeCroft/PA Wire)

Icy trees

Police in Scarborough are advising people not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary after a number of weather-related incidents. (PA)

Gearing up for Winter

Parts of Scarborough have been brought to a standstill as the Winter weather takes its toll on Yorkshire. (PA)

Gloomy rooftops in Scarborough

The UK is set to be reach temperatures colder than the Arctic Circle this week with snow flurries near east, west and north coasts. (PA)

Bad riding conditions

The Met Office issued a snow and ice warning last night, warning that up to two inches could fall. This is thought to be primarily over northern Scotland and North East England. (PA)

Streetlights illuminate the snow – Scarborough

Forecasters have warned that icy patches are likely to develop on untreated roads, and have urged motorists to take care. (PA)

A cold morning in West Lane, Middlesbrough

Tonight is expected to be the coldest night of the year in the UK so far, with the mercury expected to plummet to -10C in the Scottish Highlands. (PA)

Bright skies

The lowest temperature this year so far was recorded at Topcliffe in North Yorkshire, where it dropped to -6.3C. (PA)

Covered cars – Seaham, Co Durham

Grahame Madge, a spokesman for the Met Office, said: ‘The weather situation is that it’s likely to be getting colder as we go towards Thursday and into Friday. Pretty much everywhere in the UK will be within touching distance of freezing.’ (PA)

Icy blast

Britain woke up to ice-cold weather last Saturday, with temperatures dropping to -5.2C in one area (Picture: PA)

Below Zero

Temperatures fell well below zero in parts of the country, with Topcliffe in Yorkshire experiencing -5.2C, and Benson, Oxfordshire, having an overnight low of -4.9C. (Picture: PA)

Weather warning

The Met Office issued a yellow “be aware” weather warning for ice across London, the south east and south west of England, warning of the risk of injuries from slips and falls on untreated roads and pavements. (Picture: PA)

Snow and sleet

Some parts of the country received a dusting of snow, like The Halo sculpture in Haslingden, Lancashire (SWNS)

Forecast

Met Office meteorologist Mark Wilson said: “It will be a cold and breezy day, feeling incredibly cold for November.” (PA)

Icy roads

The North West Motorway Police reported sleet and snow on the M62 in the early hours of last Saturday, while police in Kent urged drivers to be careful on the icy roads. (Picture: PA)

Health warning

Public Health England warned people to be prepared as forecasters predicted a prolonged spell of cold weather. Dr Thomas Waite, of their Extreme Events team, said: “We know that every winter thousands of people fall ill and many die because of exposure to cold both in the home and while outdoors.” (Picture: PA)

Salty Stockpile

Councils have stockpiled 1.5 million tonnes of salt in a bid to keep roads clear of ice and snow this winter, according to new figures. (Picture: PA)

Icy Roads

A car lies abandoned on the A6033 above Midgehole on the Road to Haworth, West Yorkshire. (Picture: Charlotte Graham/REX/Shutterstock)

Preparation

A car is recovered from the A6033 in-between Oxenhope and Hebden Bridge, after running off the road in the snow. According to an RAC survey, the majority of motorists believe local authorities are good at gritting roads when there’s a risk of ice, but eight in 10 don’t think the country as a whole is very well prepared to deal with snow should it hit us. (Picture: Charlotte Graham/REX/Shutterstock)