LONDON: Temperatures are expected to plummet across much of the UK this week with snow showers and gale-force winds expected in some parts.

The cold snap is likely to continue until at least Wednesday, according to the Met Office.

Weather warnings have been issued for most of Scotland and Northern Ireland, where frequent and heavy hail and snow showers are expected from Monday evening through to Wednesday morning.

Temperatures are unlikely to climb above 4ºC in those regions, with parts of northern England also seeing wintry showers.

“Further south, there’s a chance on Tuesday that any rainfall may fall as snow, but only over higher ground,” Nicola Maxey, Met Office spokesperson, said.

The South East and East Anglia will remain largely dry and a little warmer, with temperatures of 6ºC or 7ºC.

Maxey warned that a low pressure system crossing northern England on Wednesday night could bring gale-force winds to that region.

“Combined with the rain, the wind chill is going to be a real issue, particularly in areas where snow is falling,” she said.

She advised drivers in affected areas this week to allow extra time for their journey and to prepare for “adverse weather conditions” by packing a blanket and provisions.

Anyone out walking in areas where there are snow and ice warnings should be aware that “untreated surfaces could be hazardous,” Maxey said.

This week’s weather is not unusual for the time of year, although temperatures will fall below the January average in northern regions and Northern Ireland.

The cold spell is expected to put further strain on the NHS, which is already dealing with a major influenza outbreak.

More than 750 people were in hospital in the first week of January because of the flu, compared to 421 the previous week and 66 the week before that.

The number of people being hospitalised with flu is much higher than normal for this time of year. The same is true of the number of people reporting to their GP with flu-like symptoms.

“Influenza is responsible for a number of deaths each year and affects the same vulnerable groups as cold weather,” Dr Richard Pebody, acting head of respiratory diseases at Public Health England, said.

“We encourage anyone who is eligible to take up their offer of the flu vaccine - it is not too late.”