10cm of snow due to fall today as temperatures plummet to -11C - Mirror.co.uk

In Devon: A woman waits for a bus in Plymstock

The big freeze will send temperatures plunging to -11C... with up to 10cm of snow due to fall today.

A severe weather alert has been put out across the whole of the country, as a mild front from the Atlantic battles it out with the cold air enveloping Britain.

The predicted heavy snowfall will leave the young, elderly and vulnerable people at risk, the Met Office said. And it will also land households with a budget-busting heating bill this month, experts warned.

The Met's amber cold weather alert – the second-highest possible – covers North-west England, Yorkshire & Humber, the Midlands, East and Southern England. They say there is a "100% probability" of snow and rainfall in these areas.

Met forecaster Helen Chivers said: "We're going to see the most wintry weather we've seen so far this winter.

"High ground in Scotland and Wales have already seen snow but it's the first time we've seen widespread snow forecast through the country and it looks like that will happen on Saturday and Sunday."

Polar scare: Where the Arctic weather will hit

The AA reported double the number of call-outs as motorists became stranded in treacherous conditions. Darron Burness, head of special operations, said: "Unfortunately, we're still seeing people venturing out ill-prepared for the conditions.

"But with more freezing weather and possible snow on the way, you can't take any chances. Check the weather and traffic reports before heading out and pack plenty of warm clothing, food, water, de-icer, ice scraper and a fully-charged mobile.

"Take it easy and, if conditions deteriorate, try sticking to main routes and maintain a larger gap between you and the vehicle in front."

The AA said over the last two days the number of breakdowns and accidents increased to 8,700 from 6,500 – and that is set to rise again this weekend.

Ms Chivers said: "It looks as though we're going to have some widespread heavy snow from Saturday afternoon and throughout the night with 10cm expected in some places so that could give travel disruption.

"It's important, bearing in mind this weather is moving in during today, that if people are heading off for a long journey they keep up with the forecast so they know what to expect."

A highland cattle stands on the frozen ground in Millington Pastures, Pocklington, East Yorkshire

Average temperatures are likely to remain below 2C until Tuesday. Charity Age UK issued a warning to its members and the public to ensure elderly relatives and neighbours were safe.

Michelle Mitchell, Age UK's director general, said: "Many people believe that the only risk of winter weather is getting a cold but the risk is much greater.

"Low temperatures raise blood pressure which puts people at a greater risk of heart attacks and strokes as well as increasing the likelihood and severity of flu and other respiratory problems."

A spokesman for the Local Government Association (LGA) said an army of council staff and volunteers would be braving the elements to make sure vulnerable people were cared for, and residents were also being encouraged to call in on elderly neighbours.

"Motorists are being advised to check the latest weather and gritting updates on council websites and 'gritter Twitter' feeds, as well as refresh themselves on winter driving guidance and what to stock in their car," he said.

"Information about school closures and bin collections is also being updated regularly online.

Icicles form on the fountain in Trafalgar Square, London

"Thousands of new grit bins have been placed in estates and side streets, residents have been given their own bags of salt along with salt spreaders in some neighbourhoods, and arrangements have been made with parish councils, community groups, snow wardens and farmers to grit hard-to-reach areas.

"There is no law against people clearing pavements or public spaces. Ministers have repeatedly welcomed public-spiritedness and said common sense, benefit of the doubt in favour of helpfulness and a responsibility on people to tread carefully in slippery conditions should prevail in the face of complaints.

"Many council websites carry advice on clearing pavements."

In the UK, the freezing conditions have already forced millions of people to turn up the thermostat.

The average household will be spending an extra £64.10 on warming their home this month, the Energyhelpline.com website has predicted.

Mark Todd, director of Energyhelpline.com, said: "This news will send a chill down the spines of millions of embattled energy customers who have been braving the elements and juggling their household budgets this week.

"As we look ahead to a bleak forecast of snow and sub-zero temperatures this weekend and beyond, energy consumers will face a nagging doubt over whether they can afford to heat their homes. Bills will be 80% higher than last February."

A race horse trainer watches as his horses gallop up the all weather strip climbing up to the high ground on Middleham Moor

Mr Todd said: "Consumers are being hit left, right and centre and this collective £4.9billion February fuel bill will just add to the nation's woes."

British Gas said its fleet of all-weather 4x4s was on stand-by to get engineers out to customers and keep Britain warm during the cold snap.

A spokesman said the company had received more than 200,000 calls in the last five days, compared with 120,000 to 140,000 during a normal winter week, and was expecting a further 50,000 this weekend, compared with 20,000 normally in the winter.

A spokesman said: "With the roads becoming treacherous across the country, British Gas's fleet of nearly 100 4x4s will help British Gas to meet its customer commitment, to make same-day visits to 'Homecare' customers who have no heating or hot water and report the problem before 1pm."

The Department for Transport said it was now better prepared than ever for severe winter weather.

It said salt stocks across Great Britain stood at more than 2.4 million tonnes - a million more than last year.

A spokeswoman said January 2011 salt stocks were 810,000 tonnes, while January 2012 stocks were 2.497 million tonnes - a 208% increase.

The bad weather is not isolated to the UK as Europe and beyond saw at least 220 deaths. In the Ukraine, the death toll over the last week hit 101 as temporary homeless shelters were set up.

A further 1,200 other people have been treated in hospital for hypothermia and frostbite as temperatures sank to -32C.

There have been dozens of deaths elsewhere in Eastern Europe, with thousands of villagers trapped by heavy snow and blizzards in Serbia.