Snow and ice to hit Britain at New Year

The mercury is set to drop to 28F (-3C) in most of England and Wales on Thursday night, New Year's Eve, and 17F (-8C) in Scotland, with widespread snow showers also predicted.

New Year's Day will also be chilly, with the northern half of Britain's struggling to get above freezing during the day, while London will do well to reach 39F (4C).

The forecast follows a spell of snow, sleet and ice which has gripped Britain for more than a week but relented in most parts over recent days.

Tiffany Curnick, from Meteogroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said northerly and north-easterly winds would sweep the country from Wednesday onwards, bringing snow showers everywhere but mainly across northern and eastern facing coasts.

''So, by the time we get to New Year it looks like it will be cold everywhere with scattered snow showers but mainly around areas exposed to the north and north-easterly winds,'' she said.

''On Thursday night minimum temperatures of -8C in Scotland, and in northern England temperatures could be up to 21F (-6C) or 23F (-5C). The whole of Wales, central and southern England will be between 30F (-1C) and 26F (-3), a frosty night.

''Latest indications are that on New Year's Day in Scotland and northern most England you may not see temperatures rise above zero. London only has a maximum of 39F (4C) on Friday.''

''A really cold start to 2010 everywhere but it looks as though especially the north,'' she added.

Scotland has remained worst-affected by the wintry weather.

Glasgow Airport suspended operations on the runway yesterday to allow for ''snow clearing operations'' to take place.

And a council in Merseyside revealed that a number of gritting bins had been stolen and advised drivers to delay journeys until later this week following the weather warnings.

There were forecasts for more snow in Strathclyde and Tayside on Sunday and Monday, as well as widespread icy roads across Scotland and northern England.

The Famous Grouse wrote:We had a film of ice on the inside of our bathroom window yesterday!