Snow is forecast again overnight for much of the UK (Image: Getty)
Households in parts of the UK are advised to stockpile essentials like medicine as -17C temperatures are forecast overnight on Friday.
Snow and ice warnings from the remain in place today, with -17C forecast in parts of northern Scotland including Nethy Bridge in the Highlands.
It follows a week of snow and ice chaos which has seen parts of England, Scotland and Wales buried under snow, ice, frost, hail and freezing rain.
On Saturday, temperatures will ‘warm up’ to a toasty -6C according to the , before finally reaching +9C on Monday.
:
Advice from energy supplier , which is made available to help customers deal with and prepare for snow and ice, says households should have ‘three days’ worth’ of food and medicine on hand when a big freeze is forecast.
A spokesperson said: “It’s a good habit to have at least three days’ worth of food and essentials stored in an easy-to-reach part of your home.
“That’s things like medicines, drinking water, non-perishable food and snacks, and extra blankets. You should also keep a torch, batteries and a phone charger close by too.”
British Gas also advised households to keep doorways clear of ice and snow, trim any overhanging branches which could break and injure someone or break something due to the weight of snow, and to make sure your boiler and heating is working correctly.
On Thursday night, the UK recorded its coldest January night in 15 years as more freezing temperatures are expected to roll in over the coming days.
In Altnaharra, a hamlet in Sutherland, the most northern region of the Highlands, overnight temperatures dropped to minus 14.5C overnight into Friday – the coldest night of the winter so far in the UK.
It was the coldest January overnight temperature since 2010 – a month that saw temperatures drop below minus 15C several times at locations across the UK, including minus 22.3C on January 8 in Altnaharra.
The latest forecast says: “Cloud and patchy rain remains in the southwest. Dry with light winds and clear spells elsewhere allowing frost and freezing fog to form. Cold again for most with a severe frost in the north.
“Turning less cold into the new week. Mostly dry and settled in the south, although rather cloudy. Windier in the northwest with some rain at times. Still some chilly nights.”