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Thanks for sending in your questions to our experts, we're ending our live coverage now. We hope you found their help and advice useful to help you keep costs down while coping with the cold snap.

If you're just coming to the page you can scroll down to read answers on questions on topics from how to best heat your house to what effect the cold has on your body and before we go here's a recap of today's main developments:

• The UK will see at least seven days of arctic weather, in which temperatures could drop to as low as -10C (14F) in some areas.
• A yellow warning for snow and ice has been issued by the Met Office for much of Scotland, western England, western Wales, London and south-east England over the weekend

• Forecasters say between two to five centimetres of snow could fall quite widely and up to 10cm in places
• The UK Health Security Agency has issued a level three cold weather alert covering England until Monday - which is triggered when severe cold weather is likely to affect people health significantly
• Millions of people are facing a choice between a cold home and falling into debt due to impossibly high prices, according to fuel poverty charity National Energy Action
• Cold Weather Payments of £25 will be given to eligible people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to help with their fuel bills if the average temperature in their area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C (32F) or below for seven consecutive days

Image source, Getty Images

With the cost of heating so high, how are people managing to cope this winter?

Sharon Lines is a family support worker who volunteers at the Oasis Hub in south Grimsby, Lincolnshire, and she's seen an increase in the number of people accessing the charity's support services.

"More people are accessing our food banks, more people are accessing our living rooms [to] come and get a warm hot meal in a warm space, more people [are] accessing support with their bills, and emotional support as well," she told the BBC.

Molly Todd, a parent who uses and volunteers at the hub, says it's "a community away from home".

“I'll definitely say I was struggling with my gas and electric in recent weeks,” she said.

"Sharon has been great support. She's helped me put them in the right direction. She's given me a fuel voucher, which I was able to then put on my gas and it's just saved me from the worry at the minute.

“The struggle [is] I've got a prepayment metre which I can't change over from but obviously with that, the gas and everything just falls off - as soon as you put it on it goes again.”

Simon King
BBC weather presenter and meteorologist

Image source, Reuters

I often hear the phrase "it’s too cold to snow". This holds some truth but probably not for the reason you think.

While temperature is linked, it is actually about the amount of moisture in the air needed for it to snow.

Cold air cannot hold as much moisture as warmer air so if temperatures fall well below freezing there simply is not enough moisture to create snowflakes.

In the UK, some of the heaviest snowfall can occur when the temperature is 0-2C. This is because the edges of a snowflake will start to melt which enables them to be able to stick to surrounding snowflakes, making them larger.

Beth Timmins
BBC News

Image source, Getty Images

With the colder weather more and more of us are using portable heaters, but they can be a serious fire hazard if not used carefully. We asked firefighters and safety managers from the charity Electrical Safety First for their tips on how to use them:

Do:

• Use your heater on a flat surface to ensure it won’t fall over
• Keep it at least one metre away from anything flammable. Don’t have curtains, clothes, blankets, duvets or armchairs against it
• Buy heaters new from trustworthy retailers and try and find ones with a trip switch which means it will turn off if the heater is knocked over

Don’t:

• Use your heater to dry your washing
• Cover your heater
• Leave it unattended while on for long periods of time or overnight
• Don’t plug them into extension leads as it could overload and cause a fire
• Use heaters that are faulty or have damaged wiring
• Gas heaters carry the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, so you should have a carbon monoxide alarm in the same room
• Don’t leave electric blankets on too long

Electrical Safety First said an extra 4 million more people in the UK, compared with last year, say they will either definitely use, or are considering using, electric heaters to heat their homes this winter.

“It’s very important all these people take precautions with their devices and ensure that they stay safe to avoid serious accidents occurring,” Stephen Curtler, Product Safety Manager from the charity told the BBC.

Simon Read
Personal Finance Reporter

The cold weather payment is handed out to eligible benefit claimants if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days.

Each payment is worth £25.

You do not have to do anything in order to get the payments which should arrive automatically into your bank account.

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Like humans, animals can be at risk of hypothermia if they become too cold, and may spend less time outside.

Veterinary charity PDSA, external advises giving dogs and cats extra blankets for their beds over the winter months.

Raised beds can keep older dogs away from draughts, while cats may like high-up dens.

The charity also recommends extra playtime for pets to make sure they keep active. New indoor toys can help. Providing cats with indoor litter trays also means less need to go outside. You should consider keeping them inside overnight.

You should check your pet's paws if they have been in snow and ice, as cold temperatures, grit and salt can make pads very sore, the PDSA says.

The RSPCA , externaladvises buying a winter coat or jumper for sick or elderly dogs, or those with thinner hair.

If you have to walk in the dark, make sure you and your dog can be seen with hi-vis leads, coats, and LED collars.

A sudden drop in temperature can also have a big impact on outside pets, such as rabbits and guinea pigs. They should be given extra bedding for warmth, but the PDSA recommends moving them to a more sheltered space or bringing them inside.

But you should make sure they have enough indoor space to exercise safely.

Prof David Glew
Energy efficiency expert

• Layer up! Clothing is a valid form of insulation, so use it!
• Check your EPC (energy performance certificate) by typing your postcode in here, external. If your property is rated E or lower get in touch with your energy company and local authority as they may be able to help you improve your efficiency
• Get control! Make sure you are not overheating rooms (18C is recommended) and don't heat your home when you are not in
• Avoid electric heaters - remember gas is still three times cheaper than electricity for every unit of heat you receive

Are planned power cuts allowed as temperatures drop?published at 17:09 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

17:09 GMT 9 December 2022

Simon Read
Personal Finance Reporter

Another question to bring you this time from Alex about UK Power Networks advising of a planned power cut in their area on 15 December.

Alex asks: Our community has no gas so relies on electricity for cooking and oil-fired boilers. With no power, we will have no heating, hot water or cooking facilities. Are they allowed to do this in such cold conditions?

UK Power Networks says it needs to regularly maintain its equipment to ensure a safe and reliable electricity supply and that means occasional power cuts.

So, in short, they can cut your power, even during the cold weather, indeed it may be the cold weather that means work needs to be done quickly to ensure supply.

They’ve given you notice so you can plan ahead, which means planning to put on extra layers to keep you warm during the power outage and having food that doesn’t require heating up.

If you need extra assistance because of a medical condition you should call the company on 0800 3163105.

Parts of southern England could see snow within days, with temperatures expected to drop to -10C, forecasters say.

The UK will experience at least seven days of cold arctic weather accompanied by wintry downpours and “freezing fog”, according to the Met Office, with the potential for this to continue even longer.

As well as the level three cold weather alert issued for England by the UK Health Security Agency, the Met Office has issued several yellow weather warnings for snow and ice in parts of the country in the coming days.

Temperatures dropped late last night to as low as - 9C in the village of Benson in South Oxfordshire.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: “Our forecasters are looking at the possibility of snow affecting the south east of England on Sunday night and into Monday morning. If this happens it could bring some disruption to Monday’s rush hour.”

Image source, Getty Images

What can you do to help the most vulnerable during the first major cold snap of the year? Here are some key points to know:

• Babies and children under five are more at risk in cold weather.The NHS advises that children should wear several layers of clothes to keep warm but importantly, babies do not need hot rooms at night - a room temperature of between 16-20C (61-68F) is ideal
• Over-65s and those who already have poor heart health are also at risk when temperatures drop dramatically. Keeping warm by wearing layers and eating well is important. More than 11 million pensioners are eligible for the Winter Fuel payment, external, which is worth between £250 and £600 this year

It's recommended for those struggling to pay the energy bills to heat living rooms during the day, and bedrooms before sleep. Keeping curtains closed also keeps heat in.

Read more here on practical ways to look after children, the elderly and even your pets.

Hugo Bachega
Ukraine correspondent in Kyiv

Image source, Metin Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Temperatures across Ukraine have plunged to below freezing. As Russia continues to attack the country’s civilian infrastructure, millions of people have limited access to electricity or heating. So how are they coping?

Marina, 39, lives in Vyshgorod, a town outside Kyiv, and says power outages could happen several times a day, and last up to four hours each time. So, when there’s electricity, she turns on the electric heaters in one of the rooms in her flat.

“Our family then stays together, without opening the door,” she says. “We have enough heat for four hours.”

Fedir, lives in Kyiv and says he had bought carpets to help keep his home warm. “I’m not afraid of winter,” The 60-year-old says, adding: "I’m sure we’re going to survive.”

Other solutions include buying generators to have some power supply and wearing multiple lawyers and beanie hats, even when indoors.

There have been warnings, however, that some alternatives could result in accidents, such as using gas stoves as a heating source.

Across the country, the authorities have set up heating points where people can warm up, have hot drinks and also charge their phones.

Heated bike seats keep the Dutch warmpublished at 16:38 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

16:38 GMT 9 December 2022

Anna Holligan
BBC News Hague correspondent

Image source, MARCEL VAN HOORN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

The Arctic blast isn't just going to hit the UK - it is also going to impact other countries on the European continent.

So, what is the view from the Netherlands?

Stay warm and keep cycling, this sums up the Dutch mentality when it comes to dealing with a cold snap.

Cycle paths have been gritted, dust blown off the winter coats and people are sharing tips on how to stay warm in the saddle.

Along with heated bike seats, the more exportable tips include hand-warmers inside gloves, layers of breathable fabrics, woolly socks and the obligatory rain ponchos. And many are already fishing out their favourite skates in the hope the canals freeze over.

While the Dutch may not be famous for their cuisine, they do cook up some decent winter dishes to warm your insides - including stamppot, potato mashed with green veg and served with a bendy sausage, pea soup alongside a wedge of rye bread and of course, gluhwein.

While neighbouring Germany may claim this festive spiced beverage, it’s equally prevalent, and popular, here in the Netherlands.

Marita Moloney
BBC News Live reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Many of us will be waking up to frozen landscapes in the coming days as arctic weather conditions bring ice and snow across the UK.

It also means we may need to de-ice our cars in the mornings, but it's not just a matter of pouring hot water on the windscreen and driving off.

In fact, this is exactly what you shouldn't do - pouring hot or boiling water on a frozen windscreen will only crack the glass or will quickly freeze again on the screen.

Instead, the AA says you should turn on your car - ensuring the wipers are off to avoid damage - and then turn on the warm air blower on the windscreen.

You should also turn on your rear windscreen heater, plus the air con to ensure your windows don't fog up.

The next step is to then clear any snow with a soft brush, before moving on to using a scraper and de-icer on the car.

The AA also advises motorists to steer clear of any hacks they might have heard of - including using half a potato on the inside windows to stop them steaming up.

Simon King
BBC weather presenter and meteorologist

We’ve already had quite a bit snow over the last few days across northern and north-east Scotland, particularly over higher ground.

This is where there is also a Met Office yellow warning in force for further snow in the coming days. Some is also expected over higher ground in north-east England.

Elsewhere, there may be a few flurries in the coming days but we are keeping a close eye on parts of south-east England on Sunday where there could be more than just a few flurries. Stay tuned!

Image source, .

A warm bank that's opened up at Podsmead Community Hub in Gloucester is attracting a wide range of people from the local community, with the cost of heating becoming so high.

Les Jevins, a community development worker at the hub's Butterfly coffee shop, says the heated public space helps to offset extra costs for the likes of young families, pensioners and single parents.

"It's a place people can come to that will be warm, where they can get hot drinks, a subsidised meal or food, and an opportunity to meet people and share experiences," he tells the BBC.

He says it's not just people in food and fuel poverty that require extra help, "it's spreading right through all the different levels".

"It's the just-about-managing people who got by over the last few years through Covid that are now beginning to feel the pinch."

Simon Read
Personal Finance Reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nick from Staffordshire asks: “Is it worth getting an air-source heat pump to save money on my energy bills? If so, what is the best way to run it?”

Air-source heat pumps can help cut energy bills, but they are costly.

That means it’s important to weigh up how much you’ll have to spend on one compared to the savings you may be able to make.

The Energy Saving Trust says it can cost between £7,000 and £13,000 to install an air-source heat pump.

The Trust reckons a pump could save up to £1,500 a year on heating bills, but that would only be if it was used to replace an old electric storage heater. On the other hand, if you were to use it to replace a new G-rated oil boiler, your energy bills would climb £330 a year.

The exact cost of a pump will depend on the quantity of heating and hot water your household uses which means it’s essential to do your homework on usage.

Bear in mind you need somewhere outside your home where a unit can be fitted to a wall or put on the ground with space around it to allow a good flow of air which may mean applying for planning permission. You may also need to pay to upgrade radiators, underfloor heating or installing a hot water storage tank.

However, you may be able to offset the cost of installing an air source heat pump with a grant from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. It offers up to £5,000 to homes in England and Wales - the details are here, external.

To get effective use of a heat pump you’ll need to learn to use the controls effectively and keep it well-maintained.

James Gallagher
Health and science correspondent

Image source, PA Media

Andy Couldwell asks: "How harmful, if at all, is 10C if your body, limbs and brain are warm?

Good question Andy, because 10C is about the temperature of an unheated home in winter.

Your body fights to keep its core [around the major organs] temperature at 37C.

If you have white cold fingers then you are witnessing the beginning of this process as blood is preserved for the core.

These heat-preserving responses increase heart rate, blood pressure and make the blood stickier.

This is why we see heart attacks and strokes increase every winter.

But we also know healthy people, being physically active and wearing expedition-grade gear can survive the -50C of the Antarctic.

So how harmful 10C is to you depends on your health - if your heart is in great nick you have got less to worry about - and how well you can compensate for the cold, such as physical activity and the clothes you wear.

But cold kills people every year and there is a reason the official advice is to heat your living space to 18C.

Prof David Glew
Energy efficiency expert

Gary asks: Does reducing your boiler flow to 60 make a difference to your yearly gas bill, and does it take longer for your radiators to heat up?

Yes, boilers work most efficiently when they are on for long periods chugging away. When you have high temperature flow rates this can cause the thermostat to overshoot meaning the boiler cycles, turning on, then off, then on, etc., which means it is burning less efficiently.

Studies suggest you can save up to 9% a year in fuel bills by reducing flow temperature.

Radiators will take slightly longer to heat up but will still effectively heat your home to the desired set point temperature, it’s a bit like driving your car carefully will use less fuel than driving it erratically.

Simon Read
Personal Finance Reporter

According to the Energy Saving Trust, it’s not cheaper to leave your heating on low all day.

It points out that if you keep the heating on all day you'll be losing energy all day, so it's better to heat your home only when you need it.

Doing so will save energy, and therefore save money.

You can use a timer to turn your heating on and off according to when you’ll know you need it.

Bear in mind that it can take a little while to heat up a home, so it may be worth setting the timer to turn the heating on a little before you’ll actually need it.

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Millions of people are struggling to stay warm this winter and face "dreadful consequences" over the cost of living, says a fuel poverty charity.

Adam Scorer, the CEO of National Energy Action, is urging the government to step in and do more to support people facing "impossibly high prices".

It comes as people on the lowest incomes in hundreds of affected postcode districts in England and Wales are set to receive a £25 cold weather payment.

Mr Scorer said the cold snap would create "a vicious choice between huge debt or an unheated home".

He added: "We will now start to see just how bleak this winter is going to be."