Up to four inches of snow is expected to fall over the weekend as an icy blast hits the country, sending temperatures plunging to -6C.
As the bitter Polar chill is forecast to sweep through Britain tomorrow, bringing with it the first wintry showers for the north.
Two thousand gritters are on standby for the weekend, ahead of blizzards set to be caused by an Atlantic storm next week.
The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for “widespread” ice until after rush-hour tomorrow morning in parts of Northumberland and Cumbria and all of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Other areas could see hail and sleet as chill winds bring daytime temperatures down to just above freezing and plunge them into the blue overnight.
Read our guide to staying warm for less this winter
Rain showers will move south east across the rest of the UK tomorrow, and are likely to linger in the south east until after dark.
The mercury is expected to drop to as low as -6 tomorrow night, making some parts of the country colder that Moscow.
Forecasters say up to an inch of snow will fall on high ground over 200m in the South-West, West and North-West tomorrow, with up to four inches in western Scotland - and a "repeat" on Tuesday.
Councils and volunteer snow-shovellers are also preparing to tackle severe weather, local authorities chiefs said.
Meanwhile the RAC is readying it 1,700 patrol teams to work overtime to cope with increased breakdowns. It also warned drivers to check vehicles and pack winter emergency supplies.
The Met Office said gales are due from Tuesday in the North and West - meaning blizzards on higher ground, while Netweather said forecast models show “quite a storm.”
MeteoGroup blamed Arctic air from Iceland for the "raw" windchill that many parts will experience.
Met Office forecaster Mark Wilson said: “An ice warning is out for Friday morning, but Friday, Sunday and Monday nights look coldest, with -6C possible locally in the North and -4C in the South.
“On Friday, a covering of snow is expected on ground above 200m in the West and North, including north Wales, north-west England and western Scotland and possibly Dartmoor. 5-10cm could fall in western Scotland, with 1-2cm elsewhere.
“Snow is also expected on Sunday in the same areas and same height, with the risk of 2-5cm on Dartmoor, 5-10cm in Cumbria and 10-20cm on the highest ground of western Scotland.
“Next midweek sees a repeat for the same areas, with the risk of snow at lower levels at times, but not settling.
“It looks very windy with gales at times in the North and West, so snow could blow around on higher ground with the risk of blizzards.”
Temperatures tomorrow will reach a high of 9C (48F) in the south west but are likely to average between 3C and 6C (37F to 43F) across the country.
Tomorrow night will be clear and frosty with temperatures as low as -3C (27F) in rural parts of southern Scotland, northern England, Norfolk and the Home Counties.
Saturday will start fine and crisp but chill winds will bring in cloud over England and Wales, with rain in Northern Ireland and Scotland and possibly snow on high ground, forecasters said. Temperatures will reach a high of 11C (52F).
Although snow is expected into next week, forecasters say Super Typhoon Hagupit, which is making a beeline to the Philippines with significant destruction possible, makes any longer term forecast difficult.
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