Wintry showers and freezing temperatures are expected across England next week, with an alert being issued for cold weather.
From Monday, very cold air will spread across the UK bringing snow and a risk of ice, the UK Health Security Agency said.
The Met Office has said weather warnings are likely to be issued from the start of next week because of the expected conditions.
The UKHSA is encouraging people to stay warm and look out for those most at risk from the effects of the weather, such as people with medical conditions or those over the age of 65.
The Met Office and UKHSA are warning that all regions of England will experience cold weather from 1am on Monday to midnight on Wednesday.
“During periods like this, it is important to check in on family, friends and relatives who may be more vulnerable to the cold weather, as it can have a serious impact on health," said Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA.
“If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65, it is important to try and heat your home to at least 18ºC if you can.”
Snow blankets the UK - in pictures
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Snow has fallen across the UK. Trees and boats blanketed in Little Venice, London. AP -
Marine Park in South Shields, north-east England. PA -
A car stranded on the hard shoulder of the M25 motorway near Epping. Bloomberg -
A frozen lake in Richmond Park, south west London. AFP -
The Angel of the North in Gateshead. PA -
Mjukuu the gorilla snacks on a snowman's broccoli hair at London Zoo. PA -
A car abandoned after crashing on a roundabout in Ashford, Kent. PA -
Snow outside the Churchill Arms pub in west London. AP -
St Nicholas' Park in Warwick. AP -
A tractor clears snow from the runways at Manchester Airport. Reuters -
Hownsgill Viaduct in Durham. AP -
The town of Consett in County Durham. AP -
A frosty morning at Primrose Hill in north London. AFP -
More freezing weather at Primrose Hill. AFP -
Camden, north London. AP -
Cold temperatures, freezing fog and wintry showers are expected throughout the week. AP -
A park in south London. AP -
The snow forced airports to close and left drivers struggling to get through. AP
Chris Almond, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “Although we’ve moved into meteorological spring there will be a distinctly wintry feel to our weather next week.
"Very cold air will spread across the UK bringing snow showers even to sea level in the north on Monday and these snow showers could spread further south on Tuesday.
“With freezing overnight temperatures and the risk of ice, it is likely weather warnings will be issued for Monday and Tuesday once the detail of potential impacts becomes clearer, so keep an eye on the Met Office forecast.”
The plunging temperatures are the latest cold snap to hit the UK as it battles with soaring energy bills during the cost-of-living crisis.
Weather warnings issued in the UK - in pictures
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Waves crash on to the seafront in Blackpool. Storm Dudley hit the north of England and southern Scotland from Wednesday night into Thursday morning. PA -
A fallen tree on the road in Ross-on-Wye, near England's border with Wales, during Storm Dudley. PA -
Big waves hit the sea wall at Whitby in Yorkshire. Storm Eunice was expected to bring strong winds and the possibility of snow on Friday. PA -
An empty departure board at Glasgow Central Station before Storm Dudley hits. PA -
A man struggles against strong wind in Clontarf, Dublin, as Storm Dudley makes its way over Ireland. PA -
Weather warnings on a ticket machine at Glasgow Central Station. PA -
People take advantage of the winds and fly Kites on Scarborough beach in North Yorkshire. PA
The UKHSA said that for those struggling with the rising costs, it provides free advice on energy efficiency and national grants to help warm homes.
It advised that wearing several layers of thinner clothing will keep people warmer than wearing one thick layer, and that hot food and drinks are also effective.
England had its driest February in 30 years, according to provisional figures from the Met Office.
The UK as a whole saw less than half the average rainfall for the month, at 45 per cent, with 43.4mm falling.
