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
FLOODING IN OXFORDSHIRE
River levels of the Thames are continuing to rise, causing more flooding.
Pictured: Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire
Flooding in Henley on Thames, OxfordshireCredit: Rex Features TIPS TO USE LESS PLASTIC
Using less plastic could be beneficial for the environment as it reduces pollution and emissions which contribute to climate change.
Some simple steps we can take to reduce the use of plastic in our daily lives are bringing your own shopping bag when going to the supermarket, investing in a reusable water bottle, packing your lunch in reusable containers.
Other tips include using plastic-free versions of popular items... for example, did you know most chewing gum contains plastic?
A new of 2,000 respondents by plastic-free chewing gum brand, , has revealed that most of the UK are unaware that some everyday household items contain plastic.
It costs councils around £60m per year to scrape chewing gum off the streets as they need specialist services to do so.
HOW DOES PLASTIC WASTE RELATE TO CLIMATE CHANGE?
Sunlight and heat cause plastic to release powerful greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
As our climate changes and the planet gets hotter, the plastic breaks down in more methane and ethylene, increasing the rate of climate change, and so perpetuating the cycle.
MILD IN THE SOUTH, COLD IN THE NORTH
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “While the south of the UK hangs onto the milder air for much of this week as we approach the weekend, the area of low pressure responsible for the snow across the north of the UK will clear, allowing colder air to push south and west across much of the country.”
“Further snow is expected for most parts of Scotland on Friday, while Saturday will be cold for all.”
BRITAIN SET FOR 17 DAYS OF SNOW
Britain could experience 17 days of snow starting from tonight.
The latest weather charts show snowfall across the country for the first half of February.
Temperatures are set to plunge to -8, according to forecasters.
VIEW FROM SPACE
WEATHER FORECAST FOR TOMORROW
The Met Office's weather forecast for tomorrow says: "Rain in south clearing eastwards.
"Rain continuing for northern areas, particularly Scotland where some snow, particularly for higher parts in the east.
"Cold and windy in north."
FINE RISK
Families risk a £200 fine with a snowball fight today because of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Dozens of people in Leeds were seen taking part in a snowball fight this morning.
Last week in the same city, two men involved in organising a massive snowball fight were given £10,000 fines for a "blatant breach" of coronavirus lockdown rules.
Dozens of people were seen throwing snowballs at each other as crowds of people flocked to Hyde Park in Leeds on January 14.
FUN IN THE SNOW
Polar bears, tigers and giraffes have been pictured enjoying the snow at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster.
Credit: PA:Press Association 
Credit: PA:Press Association 
Credit: PA:Press Association 
Credit: PA:Press Association
OUTLOOK FROM THURSDAY TO SATURDAY
The Met Office's weather outlook from Thursday to Saturday says: "Persistent and heavy snow continuing across parts of northern Scotland.
"Further rain, locally heavy for northern England/southern Scotland. Sunshine and showers elsewhere.
"Cold in the north, spreading south by Saturday."
RISK OF POWER CUTS
The Met Office warned: “Some higher rural communities could become cut off.
“Power cuts may occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected.
“A chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces, with some pavements and cycle paths perhaps almost impassable.”
YELLOW SNOW AND ICE WARNINGS ALSO IN PLACE FOR NORTHERN ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND
The UK was battered with torrential rain over the weekend leaving cars submerged on flooded roads across the country.
Yellow weather warnings are also in place for rain, snow and ice for a large part of northern England.
The huge area covers Nottingham in the midlands all the way up to Dundee in Scotland.
This warning is in place from 10pm Monday until midnight on Tuesday.
HEAVY SNOW OVERNIGHT
Parts of northern England have seen heavy snowfall overnight, with the Met Office warning rural communities are at risk of becoming cut off and widespread travel disruption is likely.
An amber weather warning for snow came in force across much of South Yorkshire, and parts of Derbyshire, West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester at 3am on Tuesday and will last until 1pm.
Between 3cm and 8cm of snow is likely across the area, with 10cm to 15cm possible in areas above 200 metres.
CARS STUCK
Overnight, vehicles became stuck on the eastbound M62 near Rochdale, Lancashire, between junction 21 for Milnrow and junction 22 for Denshaw leading to a temporary closure of the carriageway, and a lorry jack-knifed on the same motorway westbound between junction 23 and junction 22 in the early hours.
Forecasters said motorists who brave the roads are at risk of becoming stranded, while rail and air cancellations are likely.
Power cuts and disruption to mobile phone coverage are also expected, while rural communities face being cut off completely.
FIRE DOWN UNDER
Firefighters in Western Australia battled gusty winds and high temperatures on Tuesday as they fought a bushfire that has scorched thousands of hectares of land, raging out of control to ravage more than 30 homes.
Television broadcast images of air tankers, laden with thousands of litres of water or fire retardant, flying over the flames, spread across more than 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres), about 40 km (25 miles) from the state capital of Perth.
"Right now, Western Australia is battling two different kinds of emergencies - a dangerous fire emergency and a Covid-19 lockdown emergency," said its premier, Mark McGowan.
RAIN TO CLEAR FOR A DRY NIGHT
Rain expected to settle in for the afternoon over much of the UK will likely clear for a dryer night.
"Mostly light rain in the evening will move away eastwards to leave the rest of the night dry but largely cloudy," Met Office said.
Winds would likely ease, and minimum temperatures would hover around 3C.
TODAY'S FORECAST
Heavy snow will affect parts of northern England and southern Scotland, mostly turning to rain in northern England.
It will be brighter and very mild further south, with bands of heavy showers.
There will be wintry showers far north.
COLD WEATHER TO CONTINUE THIS WEEK
Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said the wintry weather will continue into this week.
He predicted a "much heavier"; band of rain to arrive overnight on Monday into Tuesday which will "quickly turn to snow as it bumps up against cold air".
FREEZING TEMPERATURES
Temperature maps from the weather agency showed the mercury plunging to -15C in rural areas of Northern Scotland, and as low as -6C in the North of England on Saturday night.
The lowest temperature recorded before this was -13C in Dawyck Royal Botanic Gardens in the Scottish Borders, the Met Office said.
YELLOW WARNINGS FOR RAIN, SNOW AND ICE
Yellow weather warnings are in place for rain, snow and ice for a large part of northern England.
The huge area covers Nottingham in the midlands all the way up to Dundee in Scotland.
This warning began at 10pm on Monday and will last until the end of today.
AMBER SNOW WARNING
A rare amber snow warning with “potential risk to life” has been issued by the Met Office as heavy snow blankets Britain today.
Parts of England will be hit with up to 15cm of white stuff amid fears that communities could become “cut off” - with travel chaos expected.
The weather alert which began at 3am this morning and will cover Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield, Sheffield, Huddersfield, Harrogate and the surrounding areas.
Between 3cm and 8cm of snow is likely across the area, with 10cm to 15cm possible in areas above 200 metres.
EVER HEARD OF ICE PANCAKES?
Ice pancakes are a phenomenon where discs of ice anywhere from 20 - 200 cm wide are formed creating a unique spectacle.
They are most frequently seen in the Baltic Sea and around Antarctica but also form relatively frequently on the Great Lakes of the United States and Canada.
Whilst ice pancakes look like solid discs, they are often quite slushy and easily break apart when lifted up, according to the .
AMBER SNOW WARNING
A rare amber snow warning with “potential risk to life” has been issued by the Met Office as heavy snow blankets Britain today.
Parts of England will be hit with up to 15cm of white stuff amid fears that communities could become “cut off” - with travel chaos expected.
The weather alert which began at 3am this morning and lasts until 12pm will cover Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield, Sheffield, Huddersfield, Harrogate and the surrounding areas.
Between 3cm and 8cm of snow is likely across the area, with 10cm to 15cm possible in areas above 200 metres.
YELLOW WARNINGS FOR RAIN, SNOW AND ICE
Yellow weather warnings are in place for rain, snow and ice for a large part of northern England.
The huge area covers Nottingham in the midlands all the way up to Dundee in Scotland.
This warning began at 10pm on Monday and will last until the end of today.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A YELLOW AND AN AMBER WARNING?
Compared to a yellow weather warning, amber means there is an increased likelihood of bad weather affecting the public, with a potential risk to life