Britain set for energy cuts, journey chaos and busy A&E departments when first snow hits

The nation’s gritters were ready for action last night as the first “disruptive snow” of the winter was set to fall overnight.

Weather warnings were in place as folk battened down the hatches for the first proper taste of winter.

Snow was forecast to fall across large parts of the country..

Forecasters issued several yellow weather warnings for snow and ice for parts of the UK this morning (Tues).

There were warnings about power cuts, disruption to road and public transport as well as the risk of injury from slipping on ice.

Thirteen cities, including Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle, were on high alert for power cuts amid warnings of the 15-hour snowstorm.

Temperatures had dropped to minus 7.8C in Tulloch Bridge, Scotland, in the early holurs of Monday, the lowest temperature the UK has seen since last winter.

Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: “It is going to be quite a widely cold week. A few degrees below average both day and night for most of the country.

“There’s likely to be a widespread frost overnight as we get this colder air coming in from the arctic maritime air mass.”

More snow and ice is expected over the coming days, with temperatures plunging to below average levels for the time of year.

Temperatures are predicted to drop to minus 2C in London on Friday, minus 4C in Birmingham and minus 7C further north.

There is also a possibility of 15-20cm of snow on ground above 300m and 5-10cm in areas higher than 200m.

The Met Office said there is “potential” for warnings to be “escalated”, adding: “We could see some disruptive snow.

“Even down to lower levels, we could well see some snow as well.”