Britain faces more snow and temperatures as low as -6C, with forecasters warning of a 10-day wintry blast coming in from the North Sea.
The earliest widespread snowfall in 17 years has landed in Scotland and the North of England, with up to 6in (15cm) of snow settling.
Widespread frost and further snow showers are expected as the cold snap tightens its grip on Friday.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings, flagging up icy roads and drifting snow across the North East, East Midlands and east and southwest England, as well of parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
It warned of snowfall reaching up to 10in (25cm) on higher ground by Saturday.
By the end of the week a moderate dusting of snow is across the country.
Temperatures are not expected to rise much above 2C (36F) by day, remaining lower in the more exposed, rural areas.
Sky News weather forecaster Nazaneen Ghaffar says more snow is predicted in the North East while "rain, sleet and hill snow will push in from the West - most of it settling in the South West in the Cornwall area and west of Wales".
Friday is expected to be near freezing, although central parts of Britain should stay dry.
Londoners were warned sleet could hit the capital in the early hours of Friday.
Motorists are being urged to exercise caution on the roads as temperatures plunge and check weather conditions before setting off.
The AA said it rescued a "handful" of cars stuck in snow in the Aberdeenshire and Moray areas on Thursday, while call-outs were up significantly in North Yorkshire and Newcastle.
The organisation said it had attended around 11,000 breakdowns nationwide by 5pm on Thursday, with calls coming in at about 1,000 every hour.
It predicted call-outs could rise by half in worst-hit areas.
The impending snow has led to a surge in rock salt sales of 1,600%, DIY chain B&Q reports.
And Wellington boots are also flying off the shelves, with sales up by 388% on last year's figure, it said.
SKYNEWS
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