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A ‘wintery bite back’ in the run up to Christmas will, however, thrust the nation back into the festive freezer.

Temperatures will rise next weekend before cyclonic weather systems fling the doors back open to the next blast of Polar fury.

Jim Dale, meteorologist for British Weather Services, said: “At the moment, the very cold weather looks like it may come to a brief end next weekend as a frontal system brings southerly and eventually southwesterlies into the UK.”

“It will be milder by day and slightly less cold by night, but then a low pressure moves in after the weekend bringing another blast of cold air behind it.”

“While the rest of Europe stays in the very cold airmass, Britain may be looking at a brief respite at the end of the week.”

A bend in the Polar front–the point separating air circulating the North Pole and the mid-latitudes, including northern Europe–will drive warmer air up from the south.

Daytime temperatures across southern Britain may lift into low double figures at the start of next week before plummeting overnight.

Scotland and northern Britain will struggle to shake the cold with the mercury persistently diving to -10C or below.

Mr Dale, author of Weather Or Not? said: “We have a bend in the Polar front, and the Polar front will move northwards towards the end of the week.

“This brings in slightly milder air during the week before Christmas, but then the north-westerlies return behind this low-pressure system.”

“This means that we are back into the territory of freezing temperatures, sleet, snow and hail as we await a wintery bite-back.”

In the meantime, temperatures will plunge this week with bitter winds in parts making it feel like -12C.

Weather models agree cold air will remain over Britain through the week while a tropical weather system heading towards Britain threatens southern snowfall.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said: “European model suggests a much higher probability of keeping colder air in place next week.

“The exact track of a low-pressure system will make a big difference to whether we see rain, sleet or snow.”

“But most places will stay in the colder air with wintry showers coming in on a north-easterly wind in this more likely scenario.”

Britons should stay up to date with rapidly changing forecasts while keeping an eye out for elderly and vulnerable friends and neighbours, he added.

He said: “It is going to stay cold with hard frosts and ice, so make sure you are doing everything you can to be ready for this cold spell of weather which is likely to last.”

“Check on vulnerable friends and relatives and make sure you are prepared and keep up with the latest Met Office warnings.”

Keep-fitters are warned to take as much care exercising in extreme cold as they would during a summer heatwave.

Health and wellness expert Ryan French, founder of Military Outdoor Fitness (MOFit), based in Greenwich, London, said: “Wearing the correct kit is essential not just for comfort and enjoyment, but for staying safe when exercising in this weather.”

“It is especially important for people with underlying health conditions, such as asthma, to take extra care, and keep medication to hand when training in very cold temperatures.”

The Met Office with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has a level-3 cold weather health alert in force through the week.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, consultant in public health medicine at UKHSA, said: “Cold weather can have serious consequences for health, and older people and those with heart or lung conditions can be particularly at risk.

“If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you.”

“Wearing several layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thicker layer.”

As weather models continue to keep forecasters scratching their heads over the exact location of snowfall, they all agree Britain will freeze through the next week.

Exacta Weather’s James Madden said: “Snow or heavy snow could fall to some southern regions next week thanks to low pressure moving closer to the country.

“The big freeze will, at least through the next week, maintain its grip on the UK.”

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