A WAVE of extremely cold weather is expected to hit the country in the next few days, with overnight temperatures expected to reach record lows for the year so far.

Parts of Scotland are predicted to be plunged into -10C (14F) temperatures, and the Met Office has issued a new weather warning ahead of the cold snap.

Rain showers mean much of the snow which has fallen in the last 24 hours will disappear, and motorists could instead be forced to reach for the de-icing kit and windscreen scraper.

Simon Partridge, forecaster with the Met Office, said: "Parts of the UK have had snow over the last day or so, and that picture will improve into tomorrow.

"We will still have some showers around most coastal areas, which is likely to mean the snow will not settle. But those showers will likely be overnight, so the days themselves are going to be largely dry.

"But it is going to be very cold indeed, as low as 4 or 5C (41F) in the south and 2C in the north (35F)."

Newcastle United fans slept - and sang - on coaches after they got stuck overnight in snow heading back from their 3-1 defeat to Manchester United on Boxing Day.

More than one supporters' coach and some fans in cars made it as far as Birch Services on the M62 near Rochdale when the weather conditions made a trip across the Pennines impossible.

The freezing weather has brought treacherous conditions to roads, with many motorists in Sheffield forced to abandon their cars after becoming snowed in.

More than 100,000 homes were left with power shortages as heavy snow wreaked havoc on electricity cables.

Liverpool's John Lennon Airport and Leeds Bradford International were forced to close last night as snow was cleared from the runways, but have now reopened.

Many motorists found themselves marooned by heavy snow in Sheffield, Chesterfield and the Peak District.

A spokesman for the RAC said drivers in these areas were experiencing "big problems".

A coachload of people travelling from Sheffield to London had to take refuge in a church after their bus became stuck in the snow before leaving the city.

Parishioner Gemma Cort, 44, said local children were helping drivers by pushing cars up the slope when they spotted the coach.

When they realised one of the 30 or so passengers was pregnant, it was suggested they open the church so travellers could have a hot drink and use the toilet.

With the church's new heating system working well, the coach passengers were kept warm and some were able to doze in comfy chairs under blankets and duvets provided by parishioners.

The Met Office has issued amber warnings for snow, ice and wind across much of Britain.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "As winter weather grips some areas of the country we would advise people intending to travel to check weather and local conditions before they set out.

"The Highways Agency and local highway authorities across the country are working hard to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.