More snow and 'severe' rain today as -2C cold snap sparks health alert and flood warnings

MORE snow is on the way and there’ll be heavy rainfall for millions of Brits as a -2C cold snap sparks health warnings and flood alerts.

Temperatures plummeted yesterday as heavy snow blanketed much of the UK, while ‘thundersnow’ was reported in Scotland.

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Hikers enjoy the snow on Pen y Fan amid wintry weather in Wales

Snow falls in Llanveynoe, Herefordshire this morning

Walkers make tracks through deep snow in Teesdale, County Durham

People living in the North Pennines awoke to a winter wonderland today

But elsewhere, heavy rain has fallen - with vehicles getting trapped in floods in Essex — But elsewhere, heavy rain has fallen – with vehicles getting trapped in floods in Essex

There was a stunning sunrise across Saddleworth Moor

Forecasters say the mercury is set to remain low for days to come

And the deep chill will continue for days to come as health chiefs urged people to keep an eye on vulnerable neighbours.

It comes as the Met Office issues a series of warnings for heavy rain and ice across swatches of the country today.

Worst-affected for downpours will be eastern Scotland, including Inverness and Aberdeen, where 40mm of rain could fall.

It’ll also be bleak for Marlborough and Salisbury in Wiltshire and Southampton and Winchester in Hampshire.

Meanwhile, a large stretch of England was warned about icy conditions, with people living from the East Midlands to East Sussex urged to take care.

And while there won’t be as much snow as yesterday, forecasters say many northern areas – particularly those on higher ground – could see more.

The mercury won’t rise out of single digits today – although unusually, the most northerly regions on Scotland and the southern reaches of England will see the warmest temperatures of around 8C.

The north-east, north-west and Yorkshire and Humber regions are likely to be among the coolest, with only around 3C predicted.

Three ‘red alert’ flood warnings – meaning it’s expected – have been issued.

The Peak District has had some of the heaviest snowfall

Gritters were out in force early this morning to ensure drivers had a safe journey

Meanwhile, early risers enjoyed a beautiful sunrise at Redbrook Reservoir

There was no snow in London - but forecasters have issued a warning for ice across the capital — There was no snow in London – but forecasters have issued a warning for ice across the capital

It's set to be a weekend of extremes, with snow in some areas - and flooding in others — It’s set to be a weekend of extremes, with snow in some areas – and flooding in others

Foreshore Road and Sandside, both in Scarborough, and Swan Brook in Swanage, Dorset, are set to be hit.

But there are a whopping 44 orange alerts – which warn that flooding is possible.

Rivers in Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire and Leicestershire are among those that could burst their banks.

Tonight will be cold again, with freezing fog patches across Northern Ireland and parts of England.

But it won’t be quite as chilly as Thursday night, when the mercury dropped to -9.6C in the Highlands.

Matthew Box, a meteorologist with the Met Office, said: “It will be a cold-feeling day but there will be some bright sunny spells through Saturday, but showers will continue to affect many coastal areas where the wind is coming in off the sea.

“Saturday night into Sunday is going to see a relatively widespread frost where we have clearer skies, particularly across parts of England and Wales, as well as further north in Scotland.

“We might see temperatures in some of the glens of Scotland approach -9C or -10C on Saturday night so it could be a rather sharp frost across local spots of Scotland.”

The coldest night of 2020 so far was -10.2C, recorded at Braemar in Aberdeenshire on February 13.

Snow was still falling in Powys, Wales this morning

But flood warnings have been issued for a number of areas after Essex was hit

Walkers in cold-weather gear began arduous hikes in the Brecon Beacons earlier today

Homes in the village of Marsden, near Manchester, were covered with snow last night

Meteorologist Bonnie Diamond said: “December has got off to a much colder start than last month, with widespread low temperatures bringing the risk of frost, ice and wintry weather across the country.

“With temperatures generally limited to between 4 to 7 Celsius by day and falling widely below freezing overnight, a cold weather alert has been issued covering much of northern England and will remain in place until at least next Tuesday.”

Brits have been urged to take care of loved ones, friends and neighbours who might be suffering in the cold.

Dr Owen Landeg of Public Health England said: “Heating your home to at least 18C is particularly important if you have reduced mobility, are 65 and over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease.

“Wearing a few layers of thin clothing is better at trapping heat than one thick layer and will help to keep you warm.”

He warned: “Remember to check on frail or older neighbours or relatives, especially those living alone or who have serious illnesses, remembering COVID-19 social distancing, to make sure they are safe, warm and well.”

Leading bookmaker Coral now makes its odds-on at 4-5 that this month ends as the coldest December on record in the UK.

Coral’s John Hill said: “With temperatures plummeting fast and snow already falling in some parts of the UK, this month is now odds-on to be the coldest December on record.

“It looks as though this year is our best chance for a long time to have a white Christmas.

“We expect to see the white stuff fall somewhere in the UK on Christmas Day, with Aberdeen and Glasgow the most likely cities.”