The coldest week of the winter could be just around the corner, with most of the population likely to see a few flakes of the white stuff.

A series of weather warnings are in place, forecasting snow and ice from Sunday and throughout next week, the Met Office said.

The mercury could plummet as low as minus 7C (19.4F) in some parts of the UK, while the bulk of the population can expect to shiver through sub-zero temperatures.

A warning for snow and ice is in place for Glasgow and its surrounding areas from 9pm on Monday until 3pm on Tuesday - with temperatures set to drop to as low as -2C.

Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said the first full week of February will probably be “one of our coldest weeks of this winter so far”.

He said: “It’s going to be a cold week, plenty of dry weather around, but many places will probably see some snow at some point during the week, but for a lot of us not really amounting to much at all.

“Probably one of our coldest weeks of this winter so far, but snow-fall wise, doesn’t really look too disruptive at this stage.”

The Met Office said ice was likely to form overnight on Sunday from 2am to 10am along the east coast as temperatures plummet, bringing potentially difficult driving conditions.

A further weather warning for snow and ice is in place from 8pm on Sunday until 10am on Monday, spanning south-east England.

Around 1-3cm of snow could accumulate inland, mainly over hills above 100 metres.

People enjoy a snow covered hill near Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, following a weekend wintry blast in December (Steve Parsons/PA)People enjoy a snow covered hill near Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, following a weekend wintry blast in December (Steve Parsons/PA)

Mr Snell said the working week would start on a “bitterly cold” note, with the bulk of the population waking up to temperatures between 0C to minus 2C (32-28.4F)

The mercury could plummet as low as minus 7C (19.4F) in sheltered parts of Scotland.

Then, between 9pm on Monday and 3pm on Tuesday, there is a further chance of snow and ice for Scotland.

Overnight into Wednesday will be another chilly night, while the day will generally be cold, crisp and sunny.

A front of rain is expected to move through the country on Thursday, before the cold air swiftly returns.

The cold snap is expected to grip Britain until at least next weekend, with the chance that milder weather may not arrive until the middle of the following week.