The UK is bracing for the coldest day of the year as the Met Office issues snow and ice warnings.

Cold Arctic air will make Monday the coldest day of the year as ice and snow cover the entire country.

Scotland and the North East of England will experience the coldest temperatures, but all regions with cold and “treacherous” conditions saw light snow and freezing rain.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for parts of Scotland where temperatures could drop as low as -4°C on Monday with up to 10 cm of snow falling.

Heavy snow and ice is forecast for Yorkshire and the Humber on Tuesday, with a yellow weather warning for the northeast and northwest regions.

A deceptively mild start to the day is expected in the south of England on Monday, with sunshine combined with showers and temperatures reaching 10 degrees Celsius in parts, but the Met Office said conditions would soon worsen as cold air blows in from the north.

“Cold air is expected to move across all areas at risk of occasional sleet and sleet on Tuesday, mostly in the north, but not only with some sleet and snow in the south,” Chief Meteorologist Craig Snell said. at the Met office.

Despite spring dreams, conditions are expected to remain in the single digits for most of the week, though milder skies over the Atlantic could bring some relief by the weekend.

Last week, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a cold weather warning, bringing North West England and Yorkshire below level 3, meaning vulnerable people could be at risk of health problems. The rest of the country remains at level 2.

“At times like these, it’s important to reach out to family, friends and loved ones who may be more vulnerable to cold weather as it can have serious health implications,” says Dr. Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Public Health, UKHSA.

“If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over 65, it’s important to try and heat your home to at least 60 F whenever possible.”