UK weather forecast: Met Office issues severe ice warning as snow and sleet hit Britain

Sub-zero conditions and rain could leave treacherous stretches of ice on pavements and cycle paths

Forecasters have warned of icy conditions across Britain, as the big freeze brings more wintry and potentially-hazardous conditions to many parts of the country.

A “yellow” severe weather warning for ice is in place across most of Scotland, northern England, the Midlands and south-east until 11am on Thursday.

Motorists have been advised to be extra careful on the roads following several motorway crashes on Wednesday.

The Met Office said commuters could also experience problems getting around in the cold snap today, following yesterday’s weather-related transport disruption.

Rail services in the northwest and eastern England were hit by a series of delays and cancellations, and the runway at Liverpool Airport was briefly closed because of the icy conditions.

Overnight temperatures plunged as low as -8.5C at Altnaharra in Sutherland, while -5C was recorded as far south as Cavendish in Suffolk.

The Met Office said the combination of sub-zero temperatures and yesterday’s rain showers could leave treacherous stretches of ice on pavements and cycle paths. More sleet and snow, expected to move south across England today, could make conditions worse.

Aidan McGivern, Met Office meteorologist, said it would be “cold and frosty out there for most of us… watch out for those icy patches".

He added: “We start the day with a mixture of rain, sleet and snow falling onto frosty surfaces so there’s a continued risk of ice to watch out for.”

An area of cloud, rain and hill snow over central England will move towards southern areas later on Thursday. Some freezing rain is expected to affect parts of Greater London for a time.

The areas behind the band of wintry weather – particularly in northeast England – could see some brighter spells of sunshine.

Temperatures on Thursday will generally be milder than Wednesday, however, with highs of around 10C in the southwest.

Friday will see temperatures rise slightly, as a warm front moves across the country and reduces the likelihood of ice and snow over the weekend.

But wintry conditions and freezing temperatures are set to return next week. Mr McGivern predicted “a mixture of rain, sleet and snow” and more “frost and ice to watch out for”.