By Paul Sims
Blizzard conditions: Drivers near Merthyr, South Wales, had an early taste yesterday of the cold snap which is likely to grip Britain into 2010
Britain was placed on a New Year high alert last night as temperatures plummeted to -18c (-0.4f) in some areas and forecasters predicted snowfalls as deep as 12 inches.
Temperatures are set to drop below freezing on New Year's Eve with sleet, snow and rain almost certain to plunge the country into chaos once again.
The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for Wales, the West Midlands and South-West England, and warned of further flurries in the North.
High alert: An overturned car near Lochty, three miles outside Perth on the A85
Big freeze: Shoppers at Asda in Brynmawr, Wales, struggle through the heavy snow as forecasters warn there is more to come
Wales was worst hit yesterday with as much as eight to 12 inches (20-30cm) of snow in places.
There were also snow showers in the West Country and across the Midlands, North-East England and Scotland.
Temperatures plunged to -18c (-0.4f) at Braemar in Aberdeenshire, the coldest night so far this winter. There were a series of accidents on the roads because of the extreme conditions.
Cold front: A digger clears snow outside an Asda store in Brynmawr, Wales yesterday
A young boy was killed in a car crash after the car he was travelling in collided with another on icy roads in Rugby, Warwickshire.
There were also warnings for walkers-One man died after slipping on ice while visiting his mother's grave in Manchester on Christmas Day.
Motorists were told to beware icy roads as forecasters claimed that the cold weather would grip the country well into next week.
Use your horn: A deer on the road near Garve in the Scottish Highlands
Up to four inches (10cm) of snow is expected to fall elsewhere in the next 24 hours, while long periods of rain are expected in the South, turning the snow into ice.
By 3pm yesterday, the AA had attended around 14,000 breakdowns since midnight and expected the day's total to exceed 18,000 compared with around 8,500 on a normal Tuesday.
New Year revellers were also urged to be careful in the treacherous conditions as temperatures fall and ice forms on roads and pavements.
John Hammond, from the Met Office, said: 'The snow will be heavy at times with drifting likely in strong easterly winds, leading to blizzard conditions over hills.
'And the cold weather will remain with us into the New Year and into next week.
'There won't be any let up. It's going to affect all parts of the country.
'Temperatures will fall below freezing in pretty much every region and in some parts it could drop into double figures.
'It's going to be incredibly cold.'
source: dailymail
Blizzard conditions: Drivers near Merthyr, South Wales, had an early taste yesterday of the cold snap which is likely to grip Britain into 2010 
High alert: An overturned car near Lochty, three miles outside Perth on the A85 
Big freeze: Shoppers at Asda in Brynmawr, Wales, struggle through the heavy snow as forecasters warn there is more to come
Cold front: A digger clears snow outside an Asda store in Brynmawr, Wales yesterday
Use your horn: A deer on the road near Garve in the Scottish Highlands
Up to four inches (10cm) of snow is expected to fall elsewhere in the next 24 hours, while long periods of rain are expected in the South, turning the snow into ice. 
