Britain is back at work today… in a blast from the icy cold.
There are some signs that spring flowers will bring a brighter future in certain parts of the country.
It was springtime in Somerset and daffodils are in full flower by the roadsides in Somerton.
They are able to arrive because of the mild New Year weather that is being replaced now by colder conditions.
Due to record-breaking New Year’s Eve heat, the daffodils are now in full bloom
For most of this week, wintry showers and sub-zero temperatures are likely to prevail. A cold weather warning is in effect in northern England up to Thursday lunchtime. There will be rain, snow and ice across the country.
In the North, temperatures could drop to -5C/23F in cold spots tomorrow night. They will be compared with -4C/25F in the South.
There is more severe snow/ice warning in northern Scotland.
Blizzard conditions could be caused by winds up to 60 mph in the Highlands. The New Year’s record temperatures of 16C (68F) are a distant memory.
The weather will be turning positively wintry by tomorrow morning as the cold and the ice melt. Met Office Chief Meteorologist Neil Armstrong stated that the temperature drop will spread from Northern England to South today. He added: ‘This change is being brought on by a cold northerly flow, which brings the risk of some wintry showers in northern England, especially over high ground.
‘Minimum temperatures over the next few days are expected to drop below freezing, heightening the risk of some ice.’
The Met Office expects ‘brisk winds’ to make conditions feel colder today before frosts in many places tomorrow morning followed by another cold day.
Tomorrow night is expected to be the coldest. There will likely be a frost throughout the country, and temperatures that drop below -2C (28F) to the North East.
Southern England will also see below-zero temperatures on Thursday, before some rain and sleet.
According to the UK Health Security Agency, people should be vigilant for vulnerable persons in the days ahead. This includes the elderly as well as those suffering from serious illness.