A Met Office weather forecast said the UK is going to become a “lot more unsettled” with “rain and snow on the way”.

Moving into Thursday night temperatures will “drop rapidly”, even becoming the “coldest night of the year” with thermometers dropping below -13C in northern Scotland.

The Met Office said: “As rain bumps into cold air across northern Britain, well, for northern England, Northern Ireland and parts of southern Scotland there’s the risk of significant snow. 

“The main risk area will be in parts of northern England, where we could see some substantial snowfall building up over the higher ground, in particular.

“Some settling snow at lower levels as well could cause impacts in places.”

A yellow warning of snow has been issued by the Met Office for the East Midlands and north of England for Friday morning.

Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said areas within the warning could be upgraded to amber, adding up to 10cm of snow could fall.

It is “probably central areas of England” that will be affected by the heaviest snowfall as the week comes to close.

The freezing weather could bring the “coldest night of the year so far” before further snowfall across the country.

The Met Office spokeswoman said: “The coldest temperature we have seen this year is minus 13C in Scotland, and we are likely to see temperatures slightly below that.

"But we are not talking about those extremes in the town and city centres, it is out in rural areas, more exposed areas, particularly over lying snow where you see temperatures drop the most."

BBC Weather, on behalf of the Met Office, issued a yellow warning of ice for the Greater London area.

BBC Weather said: “Icy patches are expected to form for a time on Friday morning as a band of rain, sleet and snow pushes northeastwards across parts of England.

“Some roads and railways are likely to be affected leading to longer journey times by road, bus and train services. Some delays to air travel are also possible. Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces are possible.”

Northern England has been issued with an amber warning for snow – meaning residents should be prepared – between 3am to 3pm on Friday, December 29.

BBC Weather added: “A spell of heavy snow is likely over parts of northern England on Friday morning. Travel delays on roads are likely, stranding some vehicles and passengers. 

“Some delays and cancellations to rail and air travel are likely. There is a possibility that some rural communities could become temporarily cut off. Power cuts may also occur.

“A weather system is expected to bring a spell of snow to parts of the UK on Friday. The heaviest snowfall is expected across parts of northern England where accumulations of 5-10 cm are likely, with up to 15 cm possible over higher ground.”