Icy blast to replace warm winter weather

PA

The start to 2012 in Britain has been so warm (despite winds causing havoc), that spring flowers have come into early bloom.

But the pleasant temperatures are set to give way to a chilling icy blast that will last until the middle of next week at least.

The Met Office predicts that the mercury will drop from today, with frost seen on Friday, and night time temperature plummeting to -1C, and they warned drivers will need to be extra careful in the "freezing fog".

Forecaster said it was too early to tell if it would snow, but the cold snap would "hang around until Tuesday or Wednesday of next week".

According to the Metro, some rural UK areas could see temps of -6C, while people in the East Midlands and Scotland will feel the freeze at -2C.

Gale-force winds could make a return to Scotland, which has seen two nasty spells of strong blasts cause havoc, including travel chaos, the closure of schools and businesses, and even a plane being hit by a bus shelter at Edinburgh Airport.

The warm spell has seen a host of flowers across the country blooming months early, with daffodils and snowdrops already out in many areas.

Time to escape to one of these cosy getaways?

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