UK weather: Cold blast brings snow to many parts of UK

Arctic winds are bringing some very cold weather and potential snow showers across the UK this week.

In most places, temperatures will feel below freezing due to very chilly winds.

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice for most of Northern Ireland, large parts of Scotland and much of north Norfolk.

Travel disruption is expected as the Arctic winds will bring some of the coldest weather so far this winter.

National Highways has also issued a severe weather alert for snow affecting the north west of England.

Drivers are advised to check ahead and plan for disruption to their journeys.

Is it going to snow?

Yellow Met Office weather warnings for snow and ice are in place until Thursday for most of Northern Ireland, large parts of Scotland and parts of northern England.

Sunday night saw heavy snow across northern Scotland, with around 10cm (almost four inches) of snow in Aberdeenshire.

This dog had a snowy morning walk in the Shetland Islands earlier

Snow showers have also been feeding in across eastern England, parts of Northern Ireland and Wales.

More snow is expected to affect northern Scotland and Northern Ireland later, with around 5cm of snow and up to 15cm over higher ground.

In northern Scotland, more than 180 schools did not open on Monday because of snowfalls.

Others schools delayed opening times to allow pupils time to travel to school in daylight, and school buses in some areas have been cancelled.

Some snow showers are also expected on North Sea coasts, especially in Norfolk and Suffolk, with around 2-5cm likely to settle.

Tuesday morning will potentially bring travel disruption due to an area of more significant snow pushing through Northern Ireland, central and southern Scotland, and northern England.

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In Northern Ireland, members of two unions who operate gritters on roads will take week-long strike action from Thursday.

Away from the snow-hit areas, the next few days will bring some crisp winter sunshine but it will feel cold due to a brisk Arctic wind.

In most places, it will feel like the temperature is below freezing, especially in eastern areas of the UK where the wind-chill will make it feel like minus 6-7C.

Overnight temperatures will be well below freezing, meaning some of the coldest weather so far this winter can be expected.

The Met Office has said temperatures are around 5C to 6C lower than usual for this time of year.

It has resulted in automatic £25 payments for households in receipt of certain benefits being triggered in more than 220 postcodes where temperatures are expected to be below zero for a full week.

The assistance with heating costs for eligible households applies in some parts of Wales and northern and eastern England. You can check if you will receive the payment here.

Conwy and other parts of north Wales saw a light dusting of snow on Monday morning

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office have issued an amber cold weather warning for the whole of England until midday on Friday.

An amber alert means the impact of cold weather is likely to be felt across the whole health service for an extended period of time.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, from UKHSA, stressed the importance of checking on those who could be vulnerable.

For older people, and those with pre-existing health conditions, the cold weather can quickly have a serious impact on their health.

Find out the weather forecast for your area, with an hourly breakdown and a 14-day lookahead, by downloading the BBC Weather app: Apple - Android - Amazon

The BBC Weather app is only available to download in the UK.