First named storm of the year to hit Britain in just days as more snow expected

While the exact forecasted path of the storm is unclear at the moment, heavy rain is forecast to spread from the southwest on Thursday before turning to snow from around Wales across to East Anglia.

The coldest night of the winter so far saw the lowest temperature recorded in Marham, Norfolk, while Santam Downham in Suffolk, and Topcliffe, North Yorkshire, both saw a low of -10C, the Met Office said.

In Scotland, the night was coldest in Dalwhinnie and Tulloch Bridge, where temperatures dropped as low as minus 11.2C and minus 10.7C.

An overnight low of minus 9.6C was recorded in Bala, a market town within Snowdonia National Park in north Wales.

Snow continued in parts of the UK overnight on Monday, with as much as 36cm recorded in Loch Glascarnoch.

Hundreds of schools were forced to close across Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Tuesday morning, while National Rail warned of service cancellations and disruption to train services.

Icy patches are expected into Wednesday, with yellow weather warnings in place until 10am across much of England, Wales, and the south of Scotland, and until 11am in Northern Ireland.

A yellow warning for snow and ice in the north of Scotland will be in place for much of the day on Wednesday.

It means some disruption is possible, such as travel delays, but many people can continue with their daily routine, according to the Met Office.

An amber warning indicates a higher risk, with severe weather likely to cause travel disruption, power cuts and the potential risk to life and property and people are advised to take precautions.

In Glasgow, services on the city’s subway network were suspended on Tuesday after ice on the third rail caused a power failure.

Operator SPT said: "Currently both inner and outer circles are suspended and no stations are open."

Schools in the Highlands are due to reopen on Wednesday, though more snow is expected on Tuesday afternoon.

The snowy conditions disrupted road, air and rail travel across the country, with some train lines shut after heavy snow drifted on to the tracks.

Disruption is expected on the Wirral and Northern line services, and to trains across Scotland, National Rail said, while breakdown companies including the AA and RAC are experiencing high demand.

On Monday, the severe weather led to cancellations and disruptions to flights out of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

A spokesman for the Met Office said milder temperatures are expected towards the end of the week, though further snow is possible on Sunday as the warmer air meets cold air.