Large parts of the United Kingdom are set to be blanketed by snow and ice over the New Year period as a sharp cold snap brings hazardous conditions and widespread disruption.

The Met Office has issued a series of weather warnings covering much of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, cautioning that snowfall, freezing rain and sub-zero temperatures could make travel difficult and increase risks to public safety.

Forecasters say an Arctic air mass moving south has already driven temperatures well below seasonal averages, with overnight lows dropping to minus ten degrees Celsius in some rural areas.

Snow is expected to fall across northern England, the Midlands and parts of southern Britain, while freezing fog and ice pose additional hazards on untreated roads and pavements.

Transport authorities have warned of potential delays and cancellations on road, rail and air networks, urging motorists to check conditions before travelling and to carry emergency supplies.

Energy providers have also advised households to prepare for increased demand as heating usage rises sharply.

The cold spell follows a period of unsettled winter weather and is forecast to persist into the opening days of January, with further snow showers possible in eastern regions.

Emergency services and local councils have activated winter response plans, including gritting operations and welfare checks on vulnerable residents, as the country braces for one of the coldest starts to the year in recent memory.