THE MET Office has triggered an alert for severe cold weather, with a risk to the health of vulnerable people.
The level 3, or amber, alert warns of freezing conditions between 6pm on Wednesday and 9am on Monday December 12, with social and healthcare services told to take action to protect high-risk groups.
Forecasters said that air from the Arctic will spread south across the nation, with very cold and frosty nights expected from the middle of the week.
The warning said that there is a 90% probability of severe cold weather and icy conditions in the specified period.
It also warned that the weather could "disrupt the delivery of services".
Wintry showers are likely in coastal areas and very cold night are expected, with heavy frosts likely.
The Met also predicted: "Daytime temperatures persisting near or just above freezing, with overnight temperatures continuing to trend downwards."
The amber alert is the second most severe possible, with only a level 4 red alert above it.
It comes as temperatures are set to fall as low as -4C in some areas by Friday.
Snow is even forecast in the coming weeks, sparking hopes of a White Christmas.
