
Thundersnow hit Britain today as windchill made temperatures feel as cold as -20C (-4F) – with London facing more snow on Friday and a month-long chill ahead until after Christmas.

Winter does not officially start until Friday – but thundersnow, the rare phenomenon of lightning strikes illuminating falling snow, was reported today in North Yorkshire and near Newcastle.

Snow flurries hit across the East and ferocious Arctic windchill from near-40mph-gale-force northerly wind gusts made 1-4C daytime highs for most feel as cold as -8C in the South, -12C in the North, -15C in Scotland and -20C on higher ground in Scotland, data from the US National Weather Service and The Weather Channel said.

A man walks his dog in the snow next to the Angel of North near Gateshead in Tyne and Wear

A drop to -4C (25F) is predicted tonight in many parts of England and Wales. Meanwhile on snow-covered mountains in Scotland, the temperature could fall to -10C (14F), and -5C (23F) or -6C (21F) in the glens.

The figures compare with a low of -4C (25F) forecast for tonight in Rovaniemi, Lapland, just south of the Arctic Circle, and 6C (43F) in Reykjavik, Iceland. St Petersburg in Russia is only expected to fall to 0C (32F) tonight.

A temperature of below -10.1C in Britain would make it the coldest night of the year so far. Grahame Madge, a spokesman for the Met Office, said: 'Thursday is likely to be the coldest night of the week.

'However, the -10C temperature is an exceptional figure and is likely only over packed snow in the mountains. It will be less cold in the glens and further south in England and Wales.'

The chilliest temperature recorded across the UK so far this autumn was -6.3C (20.7F) at Topcliffe, North Yorkshire, early on Saturday. Last night's minimum was -5C (23F) in the Scottish Borders, while Exeter fell to -3.7C (25.3F).

The Met Office said London and the South-East risks more snow on Friday after London's first flurries today.

'Friday has a risk of wintry showers in the far southeast,' a Met Office forecaster said.

'After Tuesday and Wednesday next week, colder conditions follow into the North with wintry showers. Milder conditions are more plausible in the South.'

The Weather Channel's meteorologist Eleanor Bell added: 'A northerly flow across Britain on Thursday meant significant wind chill of -3C to -8C for the most of the Midlands and South, and -20C on mountains in Scotland.

'After an interlude of mild weather this weekend, an even more intense blast of Arctic air could hit the UK from Wednesday next week.'

Temperatures will average colder-than-normal for the next month, up to and including Christmas.

Snow at Hardwick Hall Country Park in County Durham created picture postcard scenes - but a nightmare for motorists

A man braves a snow blizzard in Haddenham, Cambridgeshire, on Thursday evening

The streets of Haddenham, Cambridgeshire, were seen blanketed in snow on Thursday evening

A van drives through the snow on the A171 in North Yorkshire this morning as motorists face difficult conditions

Passengers get off a double decker bus to enjoy a snowball fight after getting stranded on the A171 in North Yorkshire today

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Met Office forecaster Steven Keates said: 'After midweek, the weather becomes stuck in a rut, staying colder than average across December, up to Christmas.

'After mid-December might have brief milder interludes, but maybe only for the South, with colder weather returning again after a few days.'

On Thursday, Britain was colder than Ny-Alesund, one of the the closest villages to the North Pole. Situated on Norway's Arctic island of Svalbard - famous for its polar bears – it was only due -5C.

Met Office Steven Keates said: 'Down to -7C could be seen on Thursday night in Scotland, with -10C shown on forecast models for Scottish mountains.'

Government weathermen predicted Britain's coldest temperatures since last winter on Friday morning in Scotland, with lows down to -10C on higher ground in Scotland.

Britain's coldest temperature since the -9.8C on February 11 at Altnaharra, Sutherland, Scotland, is -6.3C, set on Saturday morning at Topcliffe, North Yorkshire.

Meanwhile, bookmakers Betfair cut white Christmas odds to 5/2 in London, 9/4 in Manchester and 2/1 in Glasgow. And Ladbrokes cut odds on winter being the coldest ever – beating 1962-63's -0.18C average temperature - to 5/2.

And a Level 2 Government cold weather health warning until Saturday warned hospitals to prepare to be busier than normal and ordered health staff to prepare to make daily visits or phone calls to the vulnerable.

Thermal-imaging helicopters, 'ghost trains' and 2,000 gritters are tackling the freeze – as Britain faces its biggest test of winter resources for five years, since the cold 2012-13 winter, forecasters said.

The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: 'The coming weeks look like the biggest challenge for Britain's winter resources since winter 2012-13.'

Network Rail will use a thermal-imaging helicopter and 34 de-icing trains to keep tracks clear, while rail firms run empty 'ghost trains' at night to clear snow and ice.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: 'Our thermal-imaging helicopter carries out aerial inspections to guide engineers to points heaters which aren't working effectively.

'Train companies will run empty trains overnight to help keep tracks clear of snow.'

Highways England readied its fleet of 500 gritting lorries and 1,300 drivers. Highways England winter manager Sujad Hussain, said: 'Our teams will work around the clock during severe weather to keep traffic moving.'

Councils have stockpiled 1.5million tonnes of salt. Cllr Martin Tett, Local Government Association transport spokesman, said: 'Temperatures are dropping but councils are prepared. Gritters are ready to be deployed at a moment's notice.'

Heathrow Airport put 500 snow-clearing staff and 185 snowploughs on duty. Gatwick Airport has 98 snow-ploughs and blowers ready.

But Brits have little to complain about compared to Delyankir, Siberia, Russia, suffering a -56C (-69F) freeze.

On Thursday, Twitter users were quick to make fun of excitable Londoners left in a panic. Earlier the hashtag #SnowWatch had trended with people sharing how much had accumulated locally.

Londoners were among those excited by the snowfall this morning, while others played down the snowfall expected

Some shared a video of Michael Scott in The Office running around, while one social media user said: 'It's snowing in London. The city is hysterical. Panic buy milk. Panic buy huskies. Panic buy snow booze. The city is doomed.'

And BBC Radio 2 host Jeremy Vine wrote in a social media post: 'The tragedy of living in London — there are four flakes of snow and the media people in offices opposite Radio 2 start filming it.'

But the threat was serious elsewhere as drivers became trapped on the A171 near Whitby in North Yorkshire, after up to three inches of snow blocked the road. The hazardous conditions caused up to four miles of queuing traffic.

Farmers and council workers on snowploughs tried to help commuters dig their cars out of the snow while police offered help. Many had to abandon their vehicles on the gridlocked road while they waited in the icy conditions.

A crashed Volvo and Range Rover Sport on the A170 in the North Yorkshire village of Brompton this morning

A thick layer of snow covers the beach at Tynemouth in Northumberland at sunrise this morning

A crashed car in the village of Allerston this morning after a night of heavy snow in North Yorkshire

Motorists are assisted by police and a snowplough as they attempt to clear the A171 near Whitby in North Yorkshire today

A farmer ploughs the A171 in North Yorkshire this morning after commuters faced heavy snow showers

The Twitter hashtag #SnowWatch was trending this morning as people told on social media of the snow they had seen

Twitter users posted memes about the snow, referencing characters such as Olaf the Snowman and Spongebob Squarepants

Source: Twitter/Enaregina

Some bus passengers made the most of the situation by getting off the vehicle to have snowball fights with each other. The double-decker bus travelling to Middlesbrough was among cars, trucks and tractors stuck in rush hour.

One onlooker said: 'It's completely gridlocked on the bank. A wagon couldn't get up and everything came to a stand still. The snow just came bouncing down about two to three inches deep.'

Police forces across the country issued warnings to drivers to beware of icy roads today, while 19 schools in Aberdeenshire were closed due to the weather while others are partially shut.

Source: Twitter/@skiman63

Motorists try to make their way along the A171 in North Yorkshire in severe weather conditions this morning

Snow on cars in Seaham, County Durham, this morning as forecasters warned of disruption and plunging temperatures

Snow on the ground in Middlesbrough this morning after parts of the country had a dusting of the white stuff

Snow on bicycles in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, this morning as forecasters warn of possible travel disruption

A freezing start to the day in the New Forest in Hampshire this morning as temperatures plunge across Britain

A hare with his coat beginning to turn white for the winter sits in the frozen, snowy landscape of the Cairngorms today

Source: Twitter/Jo Ellery

Snow covers garden furniture in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, as parts of the country experience a dusting of the white stuff

Gritters struggled to handle the amount of snow falling in Teesside especially on the A689 dual carriageway today

Walkers brave wintry conditions on Tynemouth Longsands beach on the North East coast this morning

Commuters walk through Tynemouth in the North East as the area is hit by severe conditions this morning

A farmer ploughs the road in North Yorkshire as commuters on the A171 near Whitby face bad conditions this morning

Heavy snow in County Durham this afternoon resulted in picturesque scenes at Hardwick Hall

The National Trust issued a photo of Nunnington Hall in North Yorkshire in the snow, as parts of the country face bad weather

Snow falls at Nunnington Hall in North Yorkshire today as the Met Office issues a series of weather warnings

Members of the Serpentine Swimming Club enjoy an early morning swim at Hyde Park in London today

Residents in the North East shared video of the snowfall on social media, and among them was Twitter user Woody

Northern Scotland is hit by snowfall and freezing temperatures as snow arrives in Montrose today

Snow fall at Seaton Carew in County Durham today, looking towards Hartlepool Nuclear Power Station and the Able UK yard

Montrose is among the parts of Scotland hit by snowfall and sub-zero temperatures this morning

A walker makes his way through a winter wonderland scene of a snow-covered wooded road near Whitby, North Yorkshire

Motorists are assisted by police and a snowplough as they attempt to clear the A171 near Whitby in North Yorkshire today

Motorists are helped by police as they try to make their way through the snow-hit A171 near Whitby, North Yorkshire

Driving conditions are tough on the A171 in North Yorkshire today as a band of heavy snow sweeps across northern England

A snowplough does its best to clear the road of snow following severe conditions in North Yorkshire overnight

A frosty and frozen morning in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, as parts of Britain wake up to sub-zero temperatures

Residents of Hornsea on the East Yorkshire coast woke this morning to find their streets blanketed in thick snow

Commuters on the A171 in North Yorkshire were hit with heavy snow showers during this morning's rush hour

Dr Thomas Waite, of PHE's extreme events team, said: 'As the weather is going to get colder everywhere in the coming days, this is a really good time to check on those who may be at-risk.

'People with diseases such as heart and lung conditions, older people and young children can feel the ill-effects of cold weather more than the rest of us.

'To stay well this winter we all need to play a part. Is there someone you know who could be at risk when the weather gets cold? Could you help them out by fetching shopping or prescriptions?

Nunnington Hall in North Yorkshire in the snow, as parts of the country have had a dusting of the white stuff today

A squirrel is seen in a picture postcard moment at Hardwick Hall Country Park in County Durham this afternoon

A van drives along the A171, which runs from Scarborough to Middlesbrough across the North York Moors in North Yorkshire

A pedestrian makes their way through the snow in Hornsea, East Yorkshire, today as severe weather conditions arrive

A lorry makes its way along the A171 in North Yorkshire near Whitby after the area was hit by heavy snow overnight

A woman takes care as walks along an icy pavement this morning in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester

A cold and frosty morning in Saddleworth as the Met Office issues an ice and snow alert for many parts of Britain

Commuters make their way across the A171 in North Yorkshire after it was hit with heavy snow showers this morning

Sheep look for grass on a frozen field in Saddleworth this morning as temperatures fall below zero across parts of Britain

Cars take extra care during the morning rush hour as they make their way along the A171 in North Yorkshire today

The Met Office has issued a snow and ice warning for today

'When the colder weather arrives there are several things we can do to keep well, wear several thin layers instead of fewer thicker ones, keep parts of the home you're using heated to at least 18C (64F) and keep a careful eye on the weather forecasts.'

Breakdown firm Green Flag has issued a series of tips of staying safe while driving in the conditions - including ensuring you have an ice scraper, checking your tyres and fluids and giving yourself plenty of time to stop.

Simon Henrick, head of news at Green Flag, said: 'As we approach the coldest night of the year, it's important that drivers make sure their cars are road ready before they head off, to minimise the risk of damaging their vehicles.'

The company also advised drivers against leaving their car idling to defrost it, waiting for their battery to fail, using the windscreen wipers to defrost a screen, pouring boiling water on the windscreen – and forgetting their coat.

Meanwhile Boots issued a series of tips to help prevent winter illnesses, including taking supplements and vitamins, washing your hands after travelling on public transport and getting a flu vaccination.

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: 'Our breakdown patrols are working hard assisting members in difficult weather conditions. Yesterday, we saw a fifth more breakdowns than we would expect for this time of year in Scotland.

'With conditions expected to remain cold until the end of the week, we urge drivers to make sure their vehicle is 'winter ready' to reduce the chances of them getting caught out.'

And British Gas has predicted this week will be the worst of the year for mass boiler breakdowns across Britain, with engineers expected visit more than 79,000 homes to help fix problems with heating or hot water.

A horse looks for water on a frozen field in Saddleworth as Britain wakes up to sub-zero temperatures today

A beautiful frosty scene across Saddleworth this morning as commuters make their way to work on icy roads

Snow in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, this morning as much of the east coast of Britain is under a weather warning today

Frost on a car roof in Manchester this morning as much of Britain faces a snow and ice warning

A cold and frosty morning in Kendal, Cumbria, today, as snow showers and temperatures as low as -10C sweep across the UK