UK snow live updates: Met Office warns 20cm of snow could fall within hours as cold snap sweeps across northern England and Scotland with temperatures plummeting to -8C 

• Northern Ireland: Monday 3pm to Tuesday 10am
• Scotland: Monday 4pm to Wednesday 10am
• The Midlands, North West, Wales and Yorkshire: Monday 7pm to Tuesday 10am

This means there may be some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces, along with icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.

Some roads and railways are likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services.

Age UK warned that the conditions could be dangerous for older people.

Charity director Caroline Abrahams said: ‘With the Met Office issuing a yellow weather warning of snow and ice in some areas this week we are especially worried – the loss of the Winter Fuel Payment has caused many older people to be extra fearful about turning on their heating this winter.

‘With high energy bills and food prices it is understandable that some may think they have to cut back on food and turn their heating off, but prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can have a serious impact on an older person’s health, especially if they are already trying to manage existing illnesses.

‘The cold raises blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke and breathing in cold air can also increase the risk, and impact, of serious illnesses like flu and pneumonia.’

The Met Office has issued multiple yellow weather warnings covering large parts of the country today, with snow, ice, wintery showers and freezing temperatures forecast.

The UK could see up to 20cm of snow in places, with some risk of travel disruption.

It is predicted temperatures could drop to minus 2C in London on Friday, minus 4C in Birmingham and minus 7C further north.

There is a possibility of 15-20cm of snow on ground above 300m (984ft), 5-10cm in areas higher than 200m , with a ‘chance’ that snow could hit lower levels and cause road disruption – although the likelihood of that remains ‘uncertain’.

Photos show The Watchers sculpture at Corgaff in Aberdeenshire covered in snow.

A person can be seen bundled up against the weather at The Corrieshalloch Gorge visitor centre, where snow has fallen more heavily.

And in Newcastle, a woman can be seen scraping ice off her windscreen after sub zero temperatures hit England overnight.

People across the UK have been told to brace themselves for the effects of the cold snap over the next few days – as temperatures are expected to stay in the single digits for the rest of this week.

Communities in the affected areas could see their power supply cut off, disruption to roads and public transport and the risk of injury from slipping on ice.

Today, snow dusted grounds across Scotland, including at the Glenshee Ski Centre near Braemar and at Corgarff, both in Aberdeenshire, as well as alongside the A939 near The Lecht in the Cairngorms.

Snow also blanketed the mountain of Ingleborough, while frost covered berries in bushes near Clapham, in the Yorkshire Dales.

Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey said snow has mostly fallen on hilltops so far today – with 2cm falling in Lerwick, Shetland.

But more snow and ice is expected over the coming days, with temperatures plunging to below average levels for the time of year.

Good evening amd welcome to MailOnline’s live blog.

Snow arrived in parts of the UK this morning after large parts of the country were plunged into a winter freeze following the coldest night of the season so far.

Patches of snowfall could be seen on higher ground in Scotland this morning, after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice from 4pm on Sunday.

Temperatures dropped to minus 7.8C in Tulloch Bridge, Scotland, which is the lowest temperature the UK has seen since last winter.

A dusting of ice was also seen on houses and cars in the north of England, as sub-zero temperatures creeped in to bring an end to the generally mild and dry weather conditions experienced in the first half of November.

Forecasters say the snowy weather is likely to shift south tonight, meaning around one to three centimeters of snow is also likely to settle in the lower-level areas of the East Midlands, Yorkshire and parts of Wales from 7pm.

Photos show snow capped mountains in Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales and cars driving on the A835 near Braemore where there were a couple of inches of snow fall overnight.