WINTER is on its way complete with severe frosts followed quickly by snow.

Temperatures in Huddersfield will plummet and widespread frost is expected.

Overnight temperatures have dropped to -2°C (28°F) and the warning is that worse is to come next week.

Huddersfield weatherman Paul Stevens (inset) says Huddersfield will wake up to sub-zero temperatures in the coming days.

Paul, of Salendine Nook, said: “Prepare for sub-zero temperatures day and night from Saturday onwards with a few snow showers on Saturday giving a dusting in places.

“Sunday should be dry, bitter cold and mostly sunny with severe frosts at night.”

He explained the reason for the sudden cold snap is a warming in the stratosphere, which has resulted in high pressure developing over Scandinavia pushing bitter air from Russia towards and into the UK.

He expected the cold air to be around for at least a week.

And he added: “We need to prepare for more widespread and heavy snow from Monday afternoon as low pressure pushes in from the west and collides with the very cold air in place.

“Monday afternoon may well bring 10cm or more of snow in places, so a weather watch has been issued to cover this event.

“Through Wednesday another deep Atlantic low has the potential to bring 20cm or more of snow with strong winds that may well produce drifting and blizzards especially on the hills.

“This may well be the most severe spell of wintry weather since the famous December 2010 fall when temperatures fell to all time low at Emley Moor at -17.9°C.

“At this stage it doesn’t look quite as cold, but against the winter so far people need to be prepared for disruption.”

Kirklees Council carried out a full grit at 6pm last night with teams working over the weekend.

Calderdale Council say they are monitoring the temperatures and grit teams will be on stand-by if needed.

You can follow Paul on twitter @huddsweatherman.

Nationally the Met Office has issued a “yellow” warning of severe weather for the whole of southern England today which extends north on Sunday as temperatures plummet.

Forecasters said the cold snap was likely to bring widespread ice as the AA warned that 75% of drivers were not prepared for conditions on the roads.

During the next few days, the mercury is expected to drop to minus -6°C in some places, with parts of north Wales, north east England and Scotland among the chilliest spots.

The Met Office has issued a snow warning for the whole country on Monday, when most areas can expect a two-inch covering.