Today will be cold and frosty for all as an Arctic cold plunge pushes southwards.

4

4

4

Rain, sleet and snow will soak the north, with ice crusting on the roads.

Northern Scotland could see a whopping 20cm of snowfall, forecasters said.

Elsewhere will be dry and sunny – even as the mercury sinks below freezing point.

People in London and the Home Counties will wake up to a punishing -4C chill, and most of the country will be little warmer.

Last night, temperatures plunged to a bone-chilling -10 in Tulloch Bridge, Scotland, the Met Office says.

A yellow snow and ice warning will be in force for Scotland, north Wales and North West England until midnight tonight.

Drivers should brace for delays and the possibility of getting stranded on snow-blanketed roads.

A Met Office forecaster said: “Snow showers will continue to feed inland early on Tuesday morning across northern and western Scotland, parts of Wales and northwest England where 2-5 cm of snow is possible over a few hours in some places.

“During the day, an area of more organised rain, sleet and snow is likely to move east with further showers following.

“There is still some uncertainty in the track of more prolonged snow, and it is possible that at lower elevations across Wales and northern England, this could turn to rain for a time.

“However, there is a chance some places could see 5-10 cm perhaps 20 cm of snow, particularly across the northern half of Scotland and over higher ground elsewhere.”

The cold plunge could also cut off rural areas and spark misery for air and rail passengers.

Power cuts could scramble other services including mobile phone coverage.

If you brave the winter chill on foot, keep an eye out for slippery ice on the pavement.

A yellow snow and ice warning will also be in place for Northern Ireland until 11am.

The Met Office has also issued several warnings for tomorrow and Thursday before the cold plunge finally lifts on Friday.

4