The Met office has asked Brits to brace themselves for icy weather conditions set to hit the country between Monday and Wednesday.

An amber alert means the icy conditions may cause “danger to life”. Temperatures are expected to go below zero degrees with 70mph gale force winds.

The Met office on its website said, “Snow, possibly heavy at times, developing overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday.”

The weather conditions will affect power and mobile phone services.

Heathrow and Gatwick Airport have prepared for the icy conditions by having 185 snow ploughs, and 98 snow ploughs and snow-blowers on standby respectively.

Forecaster Simon Partridge said: “A cold week ahead started on Sunday with a straight northerly, with air coming all the way from north of Greenland, near the North Pole.

“Snow is likely to lower levels at times, perhaps moreso than during cold weather so far.

“-10C is certainly possible each night from Sunday for most of the week over lying snow in Scotland. We'll have to wait to see if we get -11C. England could see -6C.

“Wintry showers may fall on Monday and Tuesday near north east and north west coasts. Tuesday sees a snow risk over the southern half of the UK.

“Wednesday has wintry showers in the north west, with further snow from Thursday in the north.

“It stays cold certainly until mid-February, with the risk of snow and ice and the chance of easterly winds."

Members of the public have been asked to be careful on roads, pavements and cycle paths as the ice may cause injuries due to falls and crashes. They have also been asked to expect longer journey times.

By Airport Pickups London