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Britain has been hit by more snow chaos as the big thaw was replaced by a renewed cold snap.
A lack of grit, potholes and freezing temperatures created yet more hazardous driving conditions for motorists as up to 6in (15cm) of snow blanketed parts of Wales and the South West overnight.
The band of wintry showers also hit the Midlands, the South East and central London.
But forecasters said the Arctic conditions were not here to stay, with temperatures due to rise to the seasonal average of 7C (45F) by the end of the week.
Amid continuing transport disruption, passengers were warned to expect cancellations and delays to flights after Gatwick Airport closed its runway for snow clearance.
Billy Payne, forecaster for MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said there had been a "thin" covering of snow in the Midlands, the South East and London as temperatures hovered around freezing. The snow is set to move up through the North East and into Scotland, he said. But he added that the snow would melt over most of England by the end of the day.
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According to folklore, January 13 is St Hilary's Day and is reputed to be the coldest day of the year. But after the freezing start to the year it will feel relatively warm in some places, with temperatures in most areas ranging between OC (32F) and 3C (37F).
The latest snowfall comes as the Government demanded further cuts in gritting. On Tuesday Transport Secretary Lord Adonis announced gritting must be cut to as little as half the levels of this time last week to conserve stocks for further wintry weather.
The announcement came as local councils said ice had caused a higher than usual number of potholes with some estimating repair bills running into millions.
Edmund King, from the AA, said: "Driving conditions are already treacherous with ice and snow. Roads are crumbling underneath and, after the thaw, potholes will become the next menace for drivers and their cars."
