Meteorologists have said a new cold snap will affect the UK, including parts of Northern Ireland, from early next week.
Independent risk meteorologists British Weather Services have predicted another week to 10 days of ice and snow, with temperatures as low as -12 deg C in places.
"Certainly after Tuesday we are looking at much colder north-easterly winds coming into the area and a growing risk of snow across the eastern counties. Winter has not finished with us yet despite the fact it has been milder than it has been for quite a while," Senior forecaster Adrian Crocker said.
The snow will initially affect eastern counties of England and Scotland, but will become more widespread as next week unfolds, with most areas eventually seeing some significant falls.
Severe weather may cause more disruption on the roads and force schools to close across the province.
The Met Office confirmed the outlook for the UK was rather cold with a mixture of bright spells and scattered sleet and snow showers in the north and east.
Rain, sleet and snow may spread into the south next Thursday with perhaps some significant accumulations of snow in places, clearing southwards by the weekend.
Overnight, frost is likely in many places, with locally severe frost inland, the Met Office said.
Meanwhile, Britain's biggest insurer Aviva said it faced a £100m claims bill following the severe weather and flooding seen at the end of last year.
Flood and storm damage in Cumbria in the final three months of 2009 cost Aviva up to £20m, while claims relating to flooding in Ireland generated around £80m, the group said.
Aviva also said it had suffered a rise in the number of vehicle accident claims as motorists struggled in last month's snow and ice in the coldest January for more than 20 years.
© UTV News