freezing

However, with temperatures dropping to freezing levels and snow hitting parts of the UK, rising energy bills will once again become the focus of many households.

The average temperature in a local area must be zero degrees Celsius - or less - for seven days in a row, or be forecast to be below freezing for seven consecutive days.

Temperatures are expected to fall to minus 3C overnight with challenging conditions expected for the rest of the week, including snow, ice and freezing rain.

Temperatures will be much lower than the mid-November average by day - and may reach below freezing by night.

Where clear skies last through the night temperatures are likely to drop below freezing.