Arctic winds will push thermometers to -10C (14F) or lower in remote parts with temperatures of below zero forecast widely.

The nation faces harsh frosts, more snow and ice with bitter conditions threatening to hold out for the next week.

Public Health England (PHE) today urged people to prepare for the cold and keep an eye on friends and neighbours who may be at-risk.

With the Met Office it has a level-2 "alert and readiness" health warning in place between Saturday and next Tuesday.

Numbing winds spilling in from the Arctic on Friday could trigger “dangerous” weather conditions, it warns. 

Heavy rain will start turning to snow later on Friday with wintry flurries forecast across Scotland, northern England and along the east coast.

Daytime temperatures will widely struggle to rise above single figures this weekend with brisk winds making it feel even colder.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: “Friday will be unsettled as a low pressure system comes in off the Atlantic and it will be wet and windy at times.

“However there is then a change to colder conditions as Arctic air comes in from the north, this will spread across the country on Saturday and everywhere will feel much colder.

“There is a risk of some very sharp and widespread frosts as temperatures drop to -8C (17.6F) overnight in the north and below freezing elsewhere. 

“Showers will start to turn wintry and we expect snowfall in northern Britain and along the east coast as the cold winds come in from the northeast.”

Sunday will remain bitterly cold across the country with the mercury unlike to rise above freezing across northern Britain.

Temperatures will hover in low single figures further south with chilly winds making it feel even colder in rural spots.

Mr Madge said the cold weather will last into next week before a “battle” with stormier Atlantic conditions kicks off.

He added: “It looks as though the cold conditions will continue into the start of next week and beyond. 

“There could be some further quite strong low pressure systems that try to nudge into the country pushing away the high pressure which is responsible for the more settled but colder weather.

“There will be a bit of a battleground forming and at the moment it is uncertain which one will win out.

“It could be that we hold onto the cold weather or things could start to turn more unsettled again.”

A PHE cold weather alert warns thresholds will be reached to bring a health risk to vulnerable people.

It states: “Colder conditions will spread south across northern England during the latter part of Friday and other parts of England during Saturday as a northeasterly airflow develops giving a risk of widespread overnight frosts. 

“Prolonged periods of cold weather can be dangerous, especially for the very young, very old or those with chronic diseases.”

PHE spokesman Dr Thomas Waite said: “When temperatures fall the number of people having illnesses such as chest infections, heart attacks and strokes goes up as their bodies struggle to work harder in colder conditions.

“Heating homes to at least 18C and checking up on older people, children and those with heart and lung conditions, will all help keep people well over the coming days.”

Malcolm Booth, chief executive of the National Federation of Occupational Pensioners (NFOP), reiterated calls for elderly people to prepare for the cold.

He said: “The weather is on the change again and this often leads to people getting caught unawares by a sudden cold blast. 

“It might be wise to stock up on basics so there is something warm to eat and will save you having to venture outfit it turns very cold and snowy.”

Temperatures could drop to -10C (14F) in exposed parts overnight this weekend, according to some experts.

James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, said: “From Friday and into the weekend will see a rather significant switch back to much colder temperatures as a blast of cold winds arrives.

“This will bring some widespread wintry weather and snow showers. 

“The northern half of the country can expect some heavy and settling snow across higher ground and to lower levels in parts.

“Wintry weather and snow showers can also be expected to reach as far south as central and southern England at times.

“The cold weather is likely to hold out into next week.”