The UK and Ireland have been gripped by a severe cold spell, but how much longer will it last?

In recent days we’ve seen temperatures plummet to -17.3C at Braemar, Aberdeenshire, with a daytime high there of -9.3C, making it the coldest December day since 2010.

This winter is also 41 years on from one of the coldest winters on record, and this week the entirety of Northern Europe is much colder than normal this week.

Daytime highs on average in December for the UK and Ireland are around 6C or 7C, with lows of around 1C to 3C.

It's all down to the pressure patterns. We have high pressure situated over Russia, with a second high over Greenland and Iceland.

Then there's low pressure in between, allowing cold arctic air to flow southwards. This cold air then reinforces the high pressure systems, becoming what’s known as a "blocking pattern".

However change is expected by Sunday, so this particular cold spell isn’t unfortunately carrying us into Christmas. A milder south-westerly flow will take charge, though that could bring some snow along the leading edge of any fronts, before later falling as rain.

Further ahead there seems to be bit of a see-saw in temperatures through next week, but another cold snap certainly isn't off the table. Keep your eyes peeled for our Christmas forecast, coming this weekend!