Millions will wake up to frosty conditions as icy winds start sweeping in from tomorrow.

As much as 5cm (2in) of snow is expected to fall in the higher ground of Scotland and the northern hills of England, with wintry showers also predicted in Wales.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, many parts will see temperatures in single figures. Combined with the wind-chill factor, daytime temperatures could drop to 3C while nights could see subzero temperatures.

On Saturday night, temperatures dipped below freezing as a widespread frost set in across England and Wales - with temperatures falling as low as -3C in Oxfordshire.

Met Office forecaster Charles Powell said: "Millions will wake up to frost this week, but the worst of the weather will hit Scotland and North-east England."

"Wednesday will be the coldest day of the week, with temperatures as low as -3C on Tuesday night in rural parts of the north. The mercury will also struggle to rise above freezing overnight in the south.

"The change is down to an area of low pressure to the north of that high. It is going to sit over Scandinavia and displace that high pressure and bring in colder weather from the Pole."

Another Met Office forecaster, Robin Downton added: "It's fairly early on to be getting temperatures below freezing." The cold weather comes after a week of unseasonably warm temperatures, peaking at 23C in the South last weekend.