UK weather forecast today – BRUTAL big freeze coming as ‘polar air’ brings snow and -10C temperatures – LATEST UPDATES
AMBER weather warnings have been issued for Tuesday and Wednesday next week.
Heavy rainfall combined with melted snow is expected to flood roads and properties across Wales and the north of England.
Possible power cuts and loss of other services are likely from Monday to Wednesday.
A danger to life warning has been issued as fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible.
Follow our weather live blog below for more information as well as all the latest news and updates from around the country
WHAT IS THE SUDDEN STRATOSPHERIC WARMING THAT COULD CAUSE ANOTHER BEAST FROM THE EAST?
Meteorologists are closely monitoring a Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) that could bring another Beast from the East to the UK.
But what is a Sudden Stratospheric Warming?
When rapid warming takes place high up in the stratosphere, it can lead to extremely cold temperatures and snow on Earth.
Strong westerly winds circle around the polar vortex each winter, circulating cold air high above the Artic.
Sometimes the winds in the polar vortex temporarily decrease or reverse the flow from East to West – causing the cold air to descend quickly, leading to the temperature in the stratosphere to rise rapidly, resulting in SSW.
LEAVING SNOW OR ICE ON REG PLATES CAN LAND YOU £1,000 FINE
WHEN clearing your windscreen on these cold mornings, spare a thought for your registration plate - as leaving it obscured can land you a £1,000 fine.
The fine can be given if a number plate is obscured by any ice or snow, as drivers are not displaying plates as required by law.
It is illegal as it obscures the view of the reg for police checking vehicle details and obscures details for speed cameras and ANPR devices.
It is something easily forgotten about when people are rushing to work, but it's definitely worth checking your car.
CONCERNS OF DISRUPTION AND DANGER TO LIFE AFTER YELLOW MET OFFICE WARNING
Concerns are again being raised after the Met Office issued a yellow rain warning from Monday evening until Wednesday.
Danger to life warnings have been issued after fears of "fast flowing or deep floodwater" due to heavy rainfall combining with melting snow.
The Met Office have warned of potential delays to public transport, damage to buildings, and power cuts as a result of the weather.
Forecaster Craig Snell said: "Around 30-60mm of rain could be seen in the worst-affected regions, with 200mm in the most hilly areas. This could cause some snowmelt flooding issues, so people are advised to be very careful when travelling to work."
KNOWING what to do in a flood could save you thousands of pounds of damages and could even save your life.
When flood alerts are issued, it is important to prepare yourself for potential flooding by packing your important documents, medicines and supplies and checking government information on your local area.
When a flood warning is issued, its time to act by turning off gas, water and electricity supplies, moving objects upstairs to safety and evacuating family, pets and vulnerable persons to safety.
When there is a severe flood warning it is key to concentrate on surviving - call 999 if you are in danger, follow the advice from emergency services, and keep you and your loved ones safe.
For full advice, read the
POLAR WINDS SET TO SWEEP THE UK
POLAR air will sweep across the country this week as warning continue regarding snowfall and freezing temperatures.
In the north, temperatures will hit 0C and only 1C in the south tonight - but temperatures could plummet to as low as -10C in Scotland.
However, temperatures will hit 12C on Tuesday in the south, higher than usual for this time of year. The North will see highs of 5C.
Amazing photographs captured of snowy scenes in Suffolk this weekend.
FLOOD WARNINGS ISSUED
Twelve flood warnings are in place as heavy rainfall is expected across the country this week.
The majority of the warnings in place are in the south, such as in Peterborough and Thornley, with most danger areas being in close proximity to a river.
However, 71 flood alerts have been issued throughout the UK, where flooding is possible and residents are advised to prepare.
Check the list of flood warnings
WET AND WINDY OUTLOOK FOR THE WEEK AHEAD
THIS week will be a wet and windy one from late Monday.
This evening will see rain for most of the country, heavy at times, that is most persistent across northern England and north Wales.
Winds pick up in the south, which continues throughout the week.
Northern Ireland and much of Scotland will see heavy showers throughout the week, although it is milder in the south.
The heavy rainfall persists for the rest of the week, before strong winds and dropping temperatures bring wintry showers in the north and possible snowfall.
LONDON COULD BE BLANKETED WITH SNOW ON SATURDAY
According to reports from the Met Office, London is set to be blanketed with snow on Saturday.
The forecasting comes amid weather warnings affecting many parts of the UK.
The snowfall could begin in the capital "around three or four in the morning" and would continue into the afternoon.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge projected that between three to five centimetres of snow would fall in London on Saturday.
Mr Patridge added that the snow would be followed by rain in the afternoon.
OUTLOOK THROUGH FRIDAY
The weather will remain extremely unsettled with heavy rainfall.
There is potential for some snowfall and strong winds across southern and more especially central areas.
It will be much colder in the North with wintry showers.
TONIGHT AND TOMORROW'S WEATHER
By tonight, there will be heavy rain for most across northern England and North Wales.
It will become windy in the South and there will be showers for North Scotland.
Rain will continue into Tuesday. It will remain heavy and persistent over central parts with some snow for Northern Ireland and southern Scotland.
WEATHER WARNINGS
A yellow and amber weather warning for rain is in place on Tuesday until Wednesday.
The Met Office forecast for today is that showers will continue over much of Scotland - heavy and blustery in the far north.
It will be a drier to start further south but rain arriving into Wales and southwest England during the afternoon and then moving northeast.
MET OFFICE LONG RANGE FORECAST: ‘SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL’ GOING INTO FEBRUARY
The Met Office’s long-range forecast is for “significant snowfall on the boundary between milder and colder air masses” as we go into February.
From January 28 till February 11, the service predicts “a greater than average chance of cold spells across the UK with the associated risk of wintry hazards.
“There is potential at times for significant snowfall on the boundary between milder and colder air masses, with greatest risk across central and northern areas.”
IN PICTURES: HEAVY RAIN CAUSES FLOODING NEAR CHELMSFORD, ESSEX
Recent heavy rain and melting snow caused several roads near Chelmsford to floodCredit: Stephen Huntley/HVC SAHARA HIT BY ICY BLAST LEAVING SNOW IN THE DESERT
The Sahara desert has been hit by an icy blast with temperatures dipping below freezing.
Snow also blanketed parts of Saudi Arabia which saw the mercury hit -2C.
Snow also fell near the desert town of Aïn Séfra in Algeria this week.
Photographer Karim Bouchetata took incredible photos of ice covering the sand in the small Saharan desert town. Sheep were seen standing on the ice-covered dunes on Wednesday as temperatures dipped to -3C.
Snowfall covered parts of the Sahara this week 
WHERE HAS THE BEAST FROM THE EAST ACTUALLY COME FROM?
The weather event happens when the temperature in the stratosphere soars by 50C.
This reverses Britain's wind pattern - bringing in freezing blasts from Siberia, Russia.
Winds from Siberia push in from the east, causing the mercury to plummet - with even daytime temperatures struggling to rise above zero.
It generally takes two weeks to see the effects of a "sudden stratosphere warning" (SSW) which causes the Beast from the East.
These "SSWs" cover a larger area and can move south to Canada, the USA and Europe, increasing the risk of air temperatures decreasing to potentially dangerous levels.
FORECASTERS PREDICT HEAVY RAIN COULD CAUSE FLOODING
Parts of the UK are set to see heavy downpours in the coming days, with forecasters warning of potential flooding.
Around 30-60mm of rain could fall across large parts of western England and Wales between Monday and Wednesday.
The Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning, saying to expect “heavy and prolonged” downpours with some snowmelt across hilly areas.
It comes after parts of the UK saw between four and eight centimetres (1.5-3in) of snow to start the weekend.
An amber weather alert for snow was put in place for some areas on Saturday morning, with people told to expect travel delays, power cuts and a chance that rural communities could be “cut off”.
WEATHER OUTLOOK: WET, UNSETTLED WEEK AHEAD WITH 'A LOT OF RAIN'
FORECAST THIS EVENING
Southern and eastern parts staying mostly dry with clear spells, and turning chilly in places.
Windy in the north with further rain or showers, mostly for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
WATCH: BUS SLIDES OUT OF CONTROL DOWN SNOW COVERED LANE IN HALIFAX
Jaw-dropping moment bus slides out of control down snow covered lane in HalifaxGRAPHIC: WHAT CAUSES THE BEAST FROM THE EAST?
MONDAY MORNING FORECAST: ALL ALMOST ALL OF ENGLAND TO EXPERIENCE ICY CONDITIONS
A new tweet from the Met Office shows there will be a cold and icy start to Monday morning for many.
The weather agency's map shows the by 8am, nearly all parts of England go white.
MET OFFICE LONG RANGE FORECAST: 'SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL' GOING INTO FEBRUARY
The Met Office's long-range forecast is for "significant snowfall on the boundary between milder and colder air masses" as we go into February.
From January 28 till February 11, the service predicts "a greater than average chance of cold spells across the UK with the associated risk of wintry hazards.
"There is potential at times for significant snowfall on the boundary between milder and colder air masses, with greatest risk across central and northern areas."
WATCH: WOMAN FINDS BIZARRE MESSAGE WRITTEN IN SNOW ON HER RUBBISH BIN
Woman finds bizarre message written in snow on her trash can - and internet reveals it has a 'terrifying' meaningWEATHER EVENT THAT BROUGHT BEAST FROM THE EAST TO UK IN 2018 ‘LIKELY TO HAPPEN LATER IN THE MONTH’
Meteorologists have confirmed a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event is happening over the Arctic, which is what happened before the Beast from the East three years ago.
From January 15, unsettled conditions are forecast to develop across the UK, bringing spells of rain to many areas, perhaps, accompanied by strong winds, the Met Office said.
It’s possible temperatures will plunge further next week, one meteorologist added, saying there is “very much a possibility” of a Beast from the East 2 in the “middle of next week”.
Paul Davies, the Met Office’s chief meteorologist, said: “We can’t completely rule out a signal for colder weather following this SSW event later in the month.”