Hundreds of schools in Scotland remained closed on Wednesday as snow and freezing temperatures continued to hit most parts of the UK.

While rain and snow associated with Storm Goretti are forecast to clear eastward during Friday night, forecasters said the cold is expected to linger. Below-average temperatures are likely to persist through the weekend, with the risk of further snow on Sunday into Monday.

Hundreds of schools have been closed due to the cold weather as the Met Office predicts more snow later in the week.

Brits face more 'disruptive' snow, wind and rain this week as Met Office weather forecasters have revealed three different scenarios which could unfold on Thursday and Friday

Warnings issued by the Met Office, with the first named storm of the year due to arrive after the coldest night of winter so far saw UK temperatures drop as low as -12.5C.

Parts of the Midlands could be covered by snow with weather maps showing a large band to arrive later in January

The Met Office has issued a “risk to life” weather warning as snow is set to blanket the UK, with blizzards set to hit some areas. Weather alerts in parts of Scotland have been upgraded from yellow to amber by the forecaster, while yellow warnings are in place elsewhere as people face a wintry start to the new year.

Messy winter weather brought snow, ice, freezing rain and dangerous driving to the New England states as the region prepared for more unpleasant conditions later in the week.

At midnight on Monday (January 12), the snow is expected to get heavier over the East of England, the South East, and London, with Kent also forecast to get a dusting. Weather maps indicate that large swathes of Southern England will see up to 5cm of snowfall.