A freezing spell was forecast to tighten its grip on the country as temperatures plunge towards -10C across more of the UK.
Thermometers were expected fall to -10C in parts of Scotland and around -7C in southern England by dawn, causing icy havoc for millions of drivers and commuters. But experts predicted temperatures in the south will fall further to -8C or -9C overnight as an unusually large high pressure system continues to dominate the UK weather.
That is more than 10C below seasonal temperature norms for this time of year, which are a degree or two above freezing.
The Met Office issued a severe weather warning for London and east and south-east England on Tuesday morning with widespread icy roads and pavements.
Brendan Jones, a forecaster at MeteoGroup UK, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "The lowest temperature so far is -10C at Aboyne in north east Scotland. Across large parts of England and Wales we will see -5 or -6C, while in the south they will go to -7C. But tomorrow in the South is going to be colder than tonight, with temperatures falling to -8c or -9C."
Driving conditions were made hazardous as cold east winds brought in a wave .....continued below
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of rain, sleet and snow that turned to ice in many places as temperatures dropped overnight.The icy conditions played a part in a fatal accident in Lincolnshire when a woman was killed after her car got stuck on a level crossing and was hit by a train.
Water company Severn Trent was also prompted to appeal to its eight million customers across the Midlands and Wales to protect their water systems, after reports pipes were freezing even with heating on full blast.
And pensioners were advised to take extra precautions to make sure they stay warm during the cold weather. Director General of Age Concern Gordon Lishman said: "With predictions of more snow and freezing temperatures this week we are urging vulnerable older people, who are more susceptible to the cold, to take extra precautions to stay warm and keep active. Many of the poorest pensioners are struggling to afford paying for essentials like food and heating. Yet despite this, up to £5 billion in benefits is still going unclaimed."
The current cold snap is set to continue until the weekend when milder weather may finally arrive.
