Snow will sweep in as families chill out for half-term: Sub-zero week in prospect for Britain after temperatures plunge to -14C 

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Families hoping to enjoy the great outdoors this half-term may have to take a sledge with them.

Much of the country will be blanketed in snow today following temperatures as low as minus 14C (7F) over the weekend.

And sub-zero conditions will continue in the next few days, bringing wintry storms to much of the UK.

The coldest temperature for four years was recorded on Valentine's Day yesterday as the mercury plunged to minus 14.1C in the Scottish Highlands.

And the cold will continue with wintry showers, widespread frost and ice expected across much of the country over the next few days. 

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Lonely: A horse stands in a white field near Rowley, County Durham, yesterday after much of the area was dusted with snow

Up and down: Walkers tackle the snow-covered Pen y Fan mountain at the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales

On the lookout: A Highland cow on the hills of the Carron Valley in Stirling yesterday as sub-zero temperatures sweep the UK

Out and about: Dog walker Izzy Claase walks her dog Rupert at a snow-covered Millbuies country park near Elgin in Moray yesterday

Blanketed: Roads near Chollerford in Northumberland were covered in snow yesterday morning as parts of the North were blanketed

Up in the air: A jet skier takes part in round one of the UK Battle of the Pilots jet ski championships, at Blyth beach in Northumberland

The Met Office has issued weather warnings for snow and ice across the east of the country today.

Drivers were warned to take extra precautions as snow storms hit Yorkshire, the East Midlands and East Anglia overnight.

Up to 2in of snow fell in North East England and Scotland while persistent rain and sleet brought the risk of icy roads.

And the chilly weather is set to continue with most of the UK facing an average temperature of -4C tonight and into Tuesday, according to MeteoGroup. 

Icy conditions: Police were called after a supermarket delivery van ended up on its side on a road near Hexham, Northumberland

Scraping: A motorist had to clear the snow from her car near Wark, Northumberland, as the winter weather took hold of Northern England

Winter wonderland: Temperatures plunged across the UK, with the mercury falling to -14C in the Scottish Highlands yesterday (right)

Wrapped up warm: Two cyclists enjoyed a pedal along the snowy landscapes of Kielder Park Forest, Northumberland, yesterday morning

Coastal: Walkers on Blyth beach in Northumberland braved the chilly temperatures as Britain remained in the grip of a cold snap

Taking care: A person walks along the Carron Valley Mountain Bike Trail in Stirling as severe weather warnings were issued

Met Office forecaster Tom Crocker said: ‘It is going to be fairly cold on Monday with a northerly wind across the South East.

‘Cold showers will be continuing into the day and it will still feel quite wintry and raw. 

‘On Monday night, going into Tuesday, it will be very cold and we are expecting another widespread frost.

‘If you have had one or two showers then ice will be a risk on Monday night going into Tuesday.

‘Tuesday itself will be a much more settled day with low winds and sunny spells, but it will still feel quite cold.’

The wintry forecast follows a turbulent weekend of flood warnings in parts of London.

The Environment Agency issued nine flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected and immediate action required - and 58 flood alerts across England and Wales.

Yesterday the mercury fell to -14.1C in Braemar, Aberdeenshire - the lowest since 2012 when Holbeach in Lincolnshire recorded -15.6C.

The Thames Barrier had to be closed on Friday for the first time this winter when the river burst its banks at Greenwich.

The cold snap comes hard on the heels of Storm Imogen, which battered much of the country with strong winds.

Electricity had to be restored to thousands of homes left without power by the 100mph gusts.

RSPCA inspector Mike Reid, 54, has not been found after he vanished going to the aid of around 30 gannets stranded on rocks near Penzance, Cornwall.

Meanwhile, bookmaker Coral has cut the odds on it being the wettest February on record from 4-6 to 1-2.

The firm is also offering odds of 2-1 that the record wind speed of 173mph will be broken.

Coral spokesman John Hill said: 'The gamble on this month being the wettest February we have ever seen in the UK has picked up pace over the last week and following another flurry of bets, the odds now suggest it is very likely that we will be in for a record month of rainfall.'

Braving the chilly weather: Tourist rap up against the cold as they enjoy a punt ride along the River Cam in Cambridge yesterday

Determined: A pair of sheep were spotted making their way through the snow after wintry weather arrived on Dartmoor in Devon today

Bleak outlook: Moorland and trees were covered in snow as Dartmoor shivered in the recent freezing temperatures

Descending on Britain: The Arctic-driven cold snap (pictured from space) has tightened its grip on Britain and sent temperatures plunging

Chilly: The sun rising at St Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay near Newcastle upon Tyne yesterday morning

Stuck: A car was left partly submerged in water in Richmond, South West London, after heavy rainfall brought flooding to the capital