Britain’s countryside sat under a shroud of thick snow on Thursday, turning much of the ancient landscape into a postcard scene of idyllic beauty. Scotland, northeast England, Yorkshire, the Midlands and East Anglia have been veiled by the flurries, with the cold snap set to reach as far south as Devon, Cornwall and Kent.
Forecasters warn temperature could plunge to minus 15 degrees, with Northern Ireland and Scotland likely to see another 10cm of fall in the coming days. The cold weather follows an exceptionally mild December in the UK, which recorded the warmest temperatures for that month since records began in 1910.
Snow Blankets The UK
(01 of24)
Snow falls by the Angel of the North in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, as the UK braced for a new wave of bad weather after forecasters issued warnings of heavy snow in parts of England and Scotland. (credit:Owen Humphreys)
(02 of24)
Houses and fields in Danby are covered after snowfall over night on January 14, 2016. (credit:Ian Forsyth via Getty Images)
(03 of24)
A snow plough makes its way along a country road after snowfall over night on January 14, 2016 in Whitby, England. (credit:Ian Forsyth via Getty Images)
(04 of24)
Houses and fields are covered after snowfall over night on January 14, 2016 in Castleton, England. (credit:Ian Forsyth via Getty Images)
(05 of24)
Snow blankets the countryside in the Peak District on January 14, 2016 in Buxton, England. (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
(06 of24)
Snow blankets the countryside in the Peak District on January 14, 2016 in Buxton, England. (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
(07 of24)
Snow blankets the countryside in the Peak District on January 14, 2016 in Buxton, England. (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
(08 of24)
A man clears snow from his driveway in the Peak District on January 14, 2016 in Buxton, England. (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
(09 of24)
Snow blankets the countryside in the Peak District on January 14, 2016 in Buxton, England. (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
(10 of24)
Snow blankets the countryside in the Peak District on January 14, 2016 in Buxton, England. (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
(11 of24)
A man clears snow from his driveway in the Peak District on January 14, 2016 in Buxton, England. (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
(12 of24)
A van waits to be recovered after sliding into a ditch on an icy road in the Peak District on January 14, 2016 in Buxton, England. (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
(13 of24)
Cars struggle on their morning commute on the A171 road after snowfall over night on January 14, 2016 in Whitby, England. (credit:Ian Forsyth via Getty Images)
(14 of24)
A farmhouse and surrounding fields are covered with snow on January 14, 2016 in Danby, England. (credit:Ian Forsyth via Getty Images)
(15 of24)
A man walks his dogs on a path through snow covered trees after snowfall over night on January 14, 2016 in Whitby, England. (credit:Ian Forsyth via Getty Images)
(16 of24)
A farmhouse and surrounding fields are covered with snow on January 14, 2016 in Danby, England. (credit:Ian Forsyth via Getty Images)
(17 of24)
A snow covered sheep stands on moorland after snowfall over night on January 14, 2016 in Whitby, England. (credit:Ian Forsyth via Getty Images)
(18 of24)
Motorists make their way along the A171 moor road after snowfall over night on January 14, 2016 in Whitby, England. (credit:Ian Forsyth via Getty Images)
(19 of24)
Cars struggle on their morning commute on the A171 road after snowfall over night on January 14, 2016 in Whitby, England. (credit:Ian Forsyth via Getty Images)
(20 of24)
Sheep stand on moorland after snowfall over night on January 14, 2016 in Whitby, England. (credit:Ian Forsyth via Getty Images)
(21 of24)
Snow covered sheep stand on moorland after snowfall over night on January 14, 2016 in Whitby, England. (credit:Ian Forsyth via Getty Images)
(22 of24)
A farmer tackles the snow on a quad near the Scottish Borders village of Oxton, Jan 14 2015. (credit:Katielee ArrowsmithHEMEDIA)
(23 of24)
A farmer tackles the snow on a quad near the Scottish Borders village of Oxton, Jan 14 2015. (credit:Katielee ArrowsmithHEMEDIA)
(24 of24)
Snow covers the hill tops in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. (credit:Thomas Temple/ Rossparry.co.uk)