London, Thanasis Gavos

The mercury plunged to -14C in the Scottish Highlands overnightbreaking the record for her coldest temperature this winter which was -12.5 degrees since December, also in Scotland.

It’s about her lowest temperature in the country for five years.

All of the rest of the state had sub-zero temperatures for another nightas the country is affected by a cold wave of arctic air, which will continue until Friday.

The Met Office has this morning issued a severe orange warning for heavy snow in parts of Scotland, where a total of 40 cm of snow is expected to fall in some places these days.

Yellow warnings for snow and frost cover the northern half of the UK which is mainly affected by the arctic cold.

Generally temperatures are five to six degrees below normal for this time of year in the country.

Hundreds of schools in Scotland and northern England have been closed. Warnings of problems on the road and rail network are constant, while in London and other cities the protocol that stipulates that municipal heated rooms should be opened for the homeless and needy remains activated.

Temperatures will start to rise from Friday, but storms are expected from Sunday which will increase the risk of flooding.