Cold health alerts have been issued for large parts of the UK from midday on Monday until Saturday morning.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an amber cold health alert for the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber on Monday.
A yellow cold health alert affects the rest of England.
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Snow and ice are possible, the Met Office said, as a spell of above-average temperatures comes to an end.
Temperatures dropped as low as minus 7C (19F) in Tulloch Bridge in the Highlands on Saturday, the UK’s coldest night since March.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley said: “As Storm Claudia retreats to the south, high pressure to the North West will drive a cold northerly flow from the Arctic across the UK.”
Mr Holley predicted “much colder conditions than of late and, whilst generally drier than recent days, there will also be a risk of wintry hazards, such as snow and ice”.
Widespread frosts are likely across the UK, he said, with temperatures dipping “as low as minus 7C in places”.
Single-figure daytime temperatures, coupled with a brisk northerly wind, will mean “a marked wind chill”.
The Met Office’s chief forecaster Paul Gundersen said rain expected over western Scotland on Tuesday morning could turn to snow as it moves inland.
He said details are sketchy, but “a period of snow is likely over high ground, with accumulations of 2-5cm (0.8-1.9 inches) possible above about 150 metres in elevation, and as much as 5-10cm (1.9-3.9 inches) above 400 metres”.
Mr Gundersen said “some disruption to travel and infrastructure across higher parts of Scotland” is possible and, by Wednesday, a “strong and very cold northerly flow” will make temperatures feel even colder.
Deputy chief forecaster Tom Crabtree warned that Wednesday to Friday “will be the coldest part of the week as overnight temperatures “could get down to minus 10C (14F)”.
He predicted “a significant wind chill from the strong northerly wind making things feel even colder.
“Wintry snow showers are expected to extend south through Wednesday and into Thursday, mainly affecting north-facing coastal areas.”
An amber warning means the weather is likely to cause “significant impacts across health and social care services” including an increase in demand for health services, temperatures inside places like hospitals, care homes and clinics dropping below the levels recommended for assessing health risks and a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.
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