UK weather latest: 'Bitterly cold' weather could cause mobile signal to cut out amid snow and ice warnings

'Power cuts may occur and other services, such as mobile phones, may be affected'

A view across Lough Ross in Crossmaglen, County Armagh, after snowfall on Sunday (PA)

Mobile signal could cut out as “bitterly cold” weather grips the UK, forecasters have said.

Commuters faced icy conditions on Monday as sub-zero temperatures spread across the country.

The Met Office has issued warnings for snow and ice across large swathes of the country, leading to a frosty start to the half-term holidays.

It said freezing conditions could lead to injuries from slips and falls and even down mobile phone signal if icy winds dry moisture on power cables, causing them to break.

A yellow warning for snow and ice is in place until noon on Monday, covering west England, most of Scotland and Northern Ireland. A yellow warning for ice was also place until 10am across London, Wales and the east of England:

The Met Office said: “Icy patches are expected to form on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths on Sunday night and Monday morning. This is likely to lead to some injuries from slips and falls.

“Power cuts may occur and other services, such as mobile phones, may be affected.”

Winds eased across the south of England and Wales overnight, while at the same time showers died out across central and eastern parts. Clear skies and relatively light winds were expected to lead to a cold night.

Temperatures fell to between as low as -3C quite widely across the UK on Sunday night. Parts of Scotland were gripped by temperatures as low as -6C.

Met Office forecaster Rachael Adshead said Monday would feel slightly less cold than Sunday, but wintry showers were expected in the north and west.

Scotland, Northern Ireland and north-west England will see snow showers, while further south is more likely to see a mixture of rain, sleet and hail.

Wintry showers, lighter winds and sunny spells were expected on Tuesday, with milder temperatures set to return by the middle of the week.