The UK will wake up to sub-zero temperatures as wintry conditions grip the country.

Temperatures could plunge to below -10C (14F) with forecasters warning of snow and ice.

Before 10pm on Thursday night, the mercury had already fallen to below -4.7C (23.5F) in Braemar, Scotland, dropping about a degree or so every hour.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: “Winter’s here now properly. It feels like winter and the weather’s resembling it.”

He said cloud rolling in could be enough to stop more extreme plunges overnight, but added that lows of -10C and -12C (10.4F) are still possible.

“I think there is still a chance that we could get below -10C,” he said.

Winter weather Jan 17th 2019
Snow and frost settles on the peaks of the hills in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales. (Ben Birchall/PA)

Mr Burkill said the coldest time will be around 6am or 7am, and the chilliest place is likely to be sheltered parts of Scotland such as Braemar.

“Generally, across much of England, it’s going to be very cold and frosty,” he said.

Shap in Cumbria could see a low of -8C (17.6F), Mr Burkill said.

In order for Thursday night to be the coldest of the winter so far, it has to beat the low of -10.5C (13.1F) recorded on January 3 in Braemar.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow in Wales from 8am until 1pm, when 2-4cm of snow is expected.

“I think in Wales, many places are likely to see some sleet or snow,” Mr Burkill said.

A snow and ice warning is in place along the east coast of England until 10am on Friday morning.