<p><br /> Freezing weather will grip Britain for weeks to come, forecasters have warned - with rain, sleet and snow expected across the country.<br /> </p><p><br /> Some of the worst widespread early snow for 17 years has seen much of the country disrupted and police in affected areas are urging people to stay indoors.<br /> </p><p><br /> Severe weather warnings have been in place, with Scotland and North East England experiencing the worst of the weather, and snowfalls of up to 40cm in some areas.<br /> </p><p><br /> There was also snow across parts of Wales, the West Midlands and Cornwall and temperatures across the country struggled to rise above zero even in the major cities.<br /> </p><p><br /> Northumbria Police urged motorists to stay off the roads and advised people to dress in warm clothing.<br /> </p><p><br /> Forecaster Tom Tobler of MeteoGroup said: "The temperature throughout the day has struggled to get above zero in many areas.<br /> </p><p><br /> "It will be a similar situation tomorrow, staying very cold, with Scotland seeing the majority of the snow showers. But there may be snow in some western areas as well.<br /> </p><p><br /> "Overnight it will be very cold, well below zero everywhere, going down to minus 7C quite widely. The cold weather will stay during the week with a brisk easterly wind developing which will make it feel even colder and which might bring more snow showers."<br /> </p><p><br /> He said there could be a mix of rain, sleet and snow later in the week, adding: "People should be bracing themselves for more cold weather for the working week and beyond."<br /> </p><p><br /> Two people were injured in a four-vehicle pile-up on the M1 near Sheffield, where an inch of snow was lying on minor roads. The crash, involving a lorry and three cars, happened shortly before 8am and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance was called to the scene.<br /> </p><p><br /> Flights at some airports were delayed - including at Jersey Airport where lightning hit the radar system overnight. There were also runway closures at airports including Luton, Newcastle and Inverness.<br /> </p><p><br /> The unusual weather has been caused by high pressure over Greenland and low pressure in the Baltic, forcing cold winds from the north east across Europe.<br /> </p>
