UK weather forecast LIVE – Temperatures to reach balmy 17C by next weekend as the UK’s record-breaking Big Freeze ends
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TEMPERATURES could rise as high as 17C by next weekend as the UK's record-breaking Big Freeze - thankfully - comes to an end.
In a sudden switch from snow and sub-zero temperatures during Beast from the East Two, following Storm Darcy, the mercury will soar back up to double digits from Monday.
That'll bring much-needed relief for locked-down Brits.
All of the UK will be basking in a "warmer air mass, with daytime temperatures reaching 11-12C in the south, replacing days which never got above freezing the week before," says Met Office chief meteorologist Neil Armstrong.
And by next Sunday the mercury could soar as high as 17C with forecasters expecting temperatures “way above average for this time of year.”
Chris Fawkes from BBC Weather said: "We’re starting to draw up more of a southerly flow of wind and that will start to drag up some of the warmer air from north Africa and Spain, which will push across westerly Europe and across parts of the United Kingdom."
Follow our weather live blog below for the latest news and updates from around the country
NAMING STORMS 'MAKES PEOPLE MORE AWARE' OF SEVERE WEATHER
Analysis has shown that naming storms makes people more aware of the severe weather and helps them prepare for them in advance.
Surveys showed people were more aware of the threat and more likely to take action after hearing the name of a storm, rather than a forecast simply saying bad weather is on the way.
The Met Office and its Irish counterpart Met Eireann decided to follow the US system of giving girls and boys' names to tropical storms and hurricanes.
RUN IN THE SNOW
A person was pictured going for a run in the snow in Newcastle this morning.
Snowfall has hit the city this morning, with cold temperatures and icy roads.
More snow is expected during the day.
Credit: North News and Pictures STORM DARCY HITTING SEVERAL REGIONS OF THE UK
Places affected by the amber warning and expected to be hit by Darcy include Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent.
Roads may become blocked by deep snow, with the possibility of stranded vehicles and passengers.
Cold air emanating from Russia and Eastern Europe will move across the UK over the coming days, bringing "significant" snow to parts of Eastern England and Scotland, forecasters said.
WHAT IS STORM DARCY?
The Met Office said the Dutch have named the low-pressure system that brought strong winds and widespread snow to south-east England on Sunday as Storm Darcy.
Several parts of the country experience heavy snow yesterday, with more snow expected today.
AMBER WARNING IN FORCE
COLD WEATHER ALERT
Public Health England has issued a cold weather alert for the whole of England through to Wednesday.
Dr Owen Landeg, of PHE, said: "Cold weather isn't just uncomfortable, it can have a serious impact on health.
"For older people and those with heart and lung problems, it can increase the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.
"So it's really crucial at this time, especially ahead of a potentially very cold snap, to remember to check on frail or older neighbours or relatives, especially those living alone or who have serious illnesses."
DISRUPTION AT COVID JAB CENTRES DUE TO SNOW
Three Covid vaccination centres were forced to close as Storm Darcy wreaked havoc on the roads yesterday.
The severe weather caused coronavirus jab centres in Clacton, Colchester and Ipswich to close early on Sunday.
The vaccine hub at Jobserve Community Centre closed at 1.30pm because of the persistent snowfall.
WHITE VILLAGE
A fresh snowfall over the village of Haddenham in Cambridgeshire on Monday morning brought in by Storm Darcy overnight.
More snow and rain is forecast for the next few days.
Credit: GEOFF ROBINSON 
Credit: GEOFF ROBINSON WIDESPREAD SNOWFALL
Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent and Medway are all set to be hit by an "area of widespread, persistent and occasionally heavy snow" through to Monday, according to the amber warning.
There is also the potential for significant build ups of snow cross eastern parts of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent.
MORE SNOW ON THE WAY
Many parts of the UK have woken up to snow today - and there is more on the way.
Monday is set to be another bitterly cold day with some places struggling to get much above freezing, the Met Office said.
WEATHER FORECAST FOR TODAY
The Met Office's weather forecast for today says: "Strong easterly winds will make it feel bitterly cold across much of the UK, with further snow showers feeding westwards.
"These showers merging into some longer spells of snow over some eastern areas, whilst always drier and brighter further west."
COPS SHUT KENT ROADS AS SNOW HITS
Kent has seen some heavy snow overnight.
And in the early hours of the morning, cops shut roads after snowfall made the carriageways dangerous.
Maidstone has been particularly badly-hit.
Police closed roads in Kent last night after heavy snow made carriageways dangerousCredit: (c) UkNewsinPictures 15CM OF SNOW EXPECTED
The Met Office says 15cm of snow could fall today in some of the worst-hit areas.
BRITAIN BRRRRRACES FOR YET MORE SNOW
The UK is braced for more chaos today as Storm Darcy brings 12 inches of snow, 50mph winds and -10c temperatures.
Amber weather warnings for heavy snow are in place around Sheffield, Nottingham and Lincoln, as well as between Norwich and Dover.
COLD WEATHER ALERT IN PLACE FOR WHOLE OF ENGLND
Public Health England (PHE) has issued a cold weather alert for the whole of England through to Wednesday and urged people to check on frail or older neighbours or relatives, especially those living alone or who have serious illnesses.
Dr Owen Landeg, of PHE, said: "Cold weather isn't just uncomfortable, it can have a serious impact on health.
"For older people and those with heart and lung problems, it can increase the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections."
‘SIGNIFICANT DISRUPTIVE SNOWFALL’ TO COME THIS WEEK
The Met Office said Sunday started “on a wintry note in some areas, with rain turning increasingly to snow across the south-east of the UK, and snow showers feeding into the north-east.”
The winds made it feel like there were sub-zero temperatures across the country on Sunday while Monday is set to be another cold day with some places struggling to get much above freezing, the Met Office said.
The forecasters have warned of “significant disruptive snowfall” and gale-force winds in the south-east of England, with up to 30cm of snow possible in the Downs of Kent and the North Downs.
Storm Darcy is the low pressure system that is bringing heavy snow and strong winds to East Anglia and south-east England, the Met Office said.
Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent and Medway are all regions which are set to be hit by an “area of widespread, persistent and occasionally heavy snow” through to Monday, according to the amber warning.
A FURTHER 12 INCHES OF SNOW TO HIT BRITAIN
There will be more snow chaos this week with another 12 inches set to fall and temperatures remain bitterly cold.
Three Covid vaccination centres were forced to close with icy conditions wreaking havoc on the roads, as Storm Darcy sent the mercury below freezing.
MAPPED: WHERE ARE AMBER AND YELLOW WEATHER WARNINGS IN THE UK?
undefined POWER CUTS AND TRAVEL DISRUPTION CAUSED BY WINDS AND SNOWSURGE LIKELY AS TRAIN SERVICES CANCELLED
South-east England will be hit 40-50mph wind gusts that could cause snowdrifts from Sunday through to Monday morning, according to the Met Office.
Southeastern Rail strongly advised passengers not to attempt to travel on its network on Monday.
It said the Maidstone East line will be closed on Monday and added: "Given the severity of the forecast some routes are closed with no replacement transport available."
Southern Railway said it had already cancelled trains on two of its routes.
Power cuts in parts of London and the east are also possible, as well as interruptions to other services such as gas, water, and mobile phone coverage.
WET, COLD AND SNOWY WEATHER FOR MONDAY
An amber warning for snow across East Anglia and the South-East in place until midday on Monday has been extended to include a larger area as showers show no sign of easing.
The forecasters have warned of "significant disruptive snowfall" and gale-force winds in the south-east of England, with up to 12 inches of snow possible in the Downs of Kent and the North Downs.
Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent and Medway are all set to be hit by an "area of widespread, persistent and occasionally heavy snow" through to Monday, according to the amber warning.
There is also the potential for significant build ups of snow cross eastern parts of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent.
Such heavy snow is expected to bring widespread travel problems, especially in the South-East and East Anglia, with roads likely becoming blocked by deep snow and stranded vehicles likely.
BRITAIN BRACED FOR 12 MORE INCHES OF SNOW
BRITAIN is braced for more snow chaos with another 12 inches set to fall and temperatures remain bitterly cold.
Three Covid vaccination centres were forced to close with icy conditions wreaking havoc on the roads, as Storm Darcy sent the mercury below freezing.
METEOGROUP FORECAST FOR MONDAY MORNING AND EVENING
The Meteogroup has released its weather forecast for Monday.
The weather agency forecast reads: “Monday will remain bitterly cold for many across the UK, with snow showers in the east that will progress further west as the day goes on.”
It added: “These showers are likely to reach some central and western areas. There will be spells of sunshine between snowfall, mostly in the north. Fresh easterly winds
It says that Monday night will see “snow showers will continue in the east and will be slow to fade away, especially along coasts. Many areas will remain under threat through the night.”
HEAVY SNOW SEEN TO CONTINUE IN TO MONDAY
The Met Office said Sunday started “on a wintry note in some areas, with rain turning increasingly to snow across the south-east of the UK, and snow showers feeding into the north-east.”
The forecasters have warned of “significant disruptive snowfall” and gale-force winds in the south-east of England, with up to 30cm of snow possible in the Downs of Kent and the North Downs.
Storm Darcy is the low pressure system that is bringing heavy snow and strong winds to East Anglia and south-east England, the Met Office said.
Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent and Medway are all regions which are set to be hit by an “area of widespread, persistent and occasionally heavy snow” through to Monday, according to the amber warning.
SNOW AND ICE WARNINGS IN PLACE ACROSS EAST OF UK UNTIL WEDNESDAY
Various warnings for snow and ice across eastern areas the length of Britain are in place until Wednesday.
The Met Office said Sunday started “on a wintry note in some areas, with rain turning increasingly to snow across the south-east of the UK, and snow showers feeding into the north-east.”
The forecasters have warned of “significant disruptive snowfall” and gale-force winds in the south-east of England, with up to 30cm of snow possible in the Downs of Kent and the North Downs.
'SIGNIFICANT DISRUPTIVE SNOWFALL' TO COME THIS WEEK
The Met Office said Sunday started "on a wintry note in some areas, with rain turning increasingly to snow across the south-east of the UK, and snow showers feeding into the north-east."
The winds made it feel like there were sub-zero temperatures across the country on Sunday while Monday is set to be another cold day with some places struggling to get much above freezing, the Met Office said.
The forecasters have warned of "significant disruptive snowfall" and gale-force winds in the south-east of England, with up to 30cm of snow possible in the Downs of Kent and the North Downs.
Storm Darcy is the low pressure system that is bringing heavy snow and strong winds to East Anglia and south-east England, the Met Office said.
Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent and Medway are all regions which are set to be hit by an "area of widespread, persistent and occasionally heavy snow" through to Monday, according to the amber warning.