UK Weather: temperatures set to drop below freezing as cold snap arrives in Britain

Chilliest night of the year so far in Braemar, Aberdeenshire where temperatures dropped to -10.5C

While Christmas and the start of the new year saw unseasonably warm highs of 11C or 12C, temperatures are expected to plummet to below freezing this weekend as a cold snap sweeps across Britain.

Met Office spokesman Mark Wilson said the mercury will drop a little below average for this time of year and frosty conditions are expected in some parts of the country.

“There could be a frost overnight but it will be mainly Scotland and not widespread," the forecaster said. "Latter parts of next week nothing below freezing.”

The chilliest night of the year was experienced in Braemar, Aberdeenshire where -10.5C (13.1F) was recorded earlier this week.

As the weekend draws to a close and the icy air moves away, temperatures in the south-east are predicted to creep into double digits with the odd patch of drizzle.

“Today we are expecting highs of 4-7C but tomorrow it will be closer to 10C. It is chilly in London today but not exceptionally cold. Most places in the south will be dry and mild. It will turn milder in most areas from Sunday.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle, where it is cloudier, will see the mercury reach 5C today and 8C tomorrow and drop to 1C or 2C overnight.

There is also likely to be more cloud overnight for western England and parts of Wales.

Scotland can expect 75mph winds this coming week with yellow weather warnings issued for strong gales from Monday midday to 3pm Tuesday.

Bookmakers Ladbrokes have slashed odds from 6/1 to 3/1 that this month will be coldest January on as they expect the bitterly cold air to grip the country.