9 items you MUST chuck in your boot with -3C Arctic chill to cover parts of UK in 8 inches of snow
DRIVERS have been urged to put nine key items in their car as snow is set to blanket the UK amid a -3C Arctic chill.
Much of the UK will be buffeted by "disruptive snow", ice and punishing temperatures this week.
The Met Office has also warned drivers to expect delays and dangerous driving conditions.
A spokesman said: "Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous, so to keep yourself and others safe: plan your route, checking for delays and road closures, amending your travel plans if necessary.
"If driving, leave more time to prepare and check your car before setting off make sure you have essentials packed in your car in the event of any delays, including: warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de-icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger."
Drivers have also been warned to ensure the necessary checks have been made on their car before taking off.
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Any underlying mechanical issues could escalate as temperatures plummet.
Insurance company RAC recommend drivers check their fuel, oil, rubber, coolant, electrics and screen wash as temperatures drop.
What to keep in your car in case of an emergency
THE Met Office has urged drivers to keep nine essential items in their car as temperatures are set to plummet.
- Warm clothing
- Food
- Water
- A blanket
- A torch
- Ice scraper/de-icer
- A warning triangle
- High visibility vest
- In-car phone charger
It comes as more than 20cm of snow may build up in some areas - giving the country its "first taste of winter".
A string of yellow weather warnings for snow and ice will be in force.
Forecasters said there is "potential" for the yellow warnings to be "escalated".
There is a chance of power cuts, disruption to road and public transport and the risk of injury from slipping on ice.
The UK Health Security Agency has also issued a cold health alert covering most of England until Thursday.
It comes after the mercury dropped to -3.3C in the Scottish Highlands.
Met Office expert Tom Morgan: "We could see some disruptive snow in the Pennine regions, in particular, the Peak District as well, especially Monday night.
"But we could well see some impacts lasting on until Tuesday morning's rush hour.
"Even down to lower levels, we could well see some snow as well, so quite a bit of disruption is possible by Tuesday morning.
"The week ahead is likely to stay cold nationwide, a windy day tomorrow, and then winter showers through the week ahead.
"What we can say is that it's going to be very cold for the for the time of year.
"There will be widespread overnight frosts, and a few locations where there's snow on the ground."
Daytime highs for the week ahead are forecast to be around 5C - well below the average high for this time of year.
Some parts of Scotland will reach "only just above freezing", Mr Morgan added.
There are "likely" to be changes to the weather warnings in the coming days.
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Some "winter flurries" could be seen in the south of England later this week.
Despite the nippy conditions, the "whole of the UK" will enjoy more sunshine this week.
How to check your car ahead of a long journey
RAC recommends drivers to remember the acronym FORCES for the regular ‘DIY checks’.
Fuel: Check you have plenty of fuel for your journey. It may sound obvious but you would be surprised how many people run out of fuel and with temperatures as low as expected you really don’t want get stranded.
Oil: You should check your oil level is between the minimum and maximum mark on your car's dipstick and top up if necessary. Knowing how to check your car's oil is a vital skill to have - especially when you have broken down in wintery conditions.
Rubber: You'll need to check your tyres and your wiper blades before you set off. Check your tyres for general wear and tear racks, cracks, splits or bulges, and most importantly, tread depth. Although the minimum tread level is 1.6mm, during winter it’s advisable to have 3mm of tread on your tyres to help with traction and grip.
Coolant: Check your car’s coolant level. The last thing you need is a frozen engine or for your car to overheat. Although it’s a sealed system and shouldn’t need to be topped up, you should always double check, especially before a long journey.
Electrics: Check your car's lights – they are essential for you to see and be seen. It’s vitally important to make sure not only that you can see where you’re going but also that other drivers can see you. Walk around your car and make sure all lights are working and that they are free from dirt, grime and snow.
Screen Wash: Check your screen wash level and top up with a quality screen wash additive or pre-mix which is effective down to at least -15 degrees celsius. There’s more muck and dirt on the roads during the winter, as well as salt, so it’s important to make sure you can keep your windscreen clean