Why is it so cold in the UK right now – and how long will Arctic chill last?

With temperatures as low as -15C forecast, many want to know when milder weather will arrive

As the coldest temperatures in 14 years are predicted to hit the UK overnight, with parts of Scotland potentially plunging to -15C, freezing conditions are expected to remain across the country for the next few days.

The last time temperatures dropped this low in Britain was during the big freeze" of January 2010, when -22.3C was recorded in Altnaharra, Scotland.