In recent decades, the intensity and frequency of heavy snowfall in the UK has reduced, and is expected to further reduce in recent years.

Between 1961 to 1990, it snowed for an average of 36.3 days each year in the UK, which has since reduced to 23.7 leading up to 2010.

Up to 15cm of snow is expected to fall in some parts of the country as the Met Office issues several yellow weather alerts for snow and ice.

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British Gas are expecting to see up to 52,000 households require help this weekend with their heating and hot water systems, as temperatures are set to plummet.

Their engineers have urged homeowners to prepare in advance by carrying out simple tasks such as bleeding their radiators and having boilers serviced.

Other tips include carefully checking water pipes, arranging furniture for warmth and preparing your heating before bedtime.

As temperatures plummet across UK, the British Heart Foundation has highlighted the potential dangers posed by the cold weather.

According to the charity, there are thousands of additional deaths from heart and circulatory disease in the UK each year during the winter months.

“Cold temperatures can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, as well as respiratory infections like flu, and people with cardiovascular disease are more at risk,” warns Joanne Whitmore, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation.

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The Met Office has issued a series of yellow and amber weather warnings across the UK for Saturday, which will remain in place from 7am until 5pm.

The forecaster has warned that Storm Bert will bring a spell of heavy snow, leading to some disruption, with higher ground in central Scotland likely to be the most impacted.

An orange warning for snow and ice was in place for counties Clare, Limerick, Galway and Tipperary in Ireland from midnight to noon on Thursday, as significant snow hit parts of the country.

An orange warning for snow and rain for counties Cork and Waterford was in place until noon on Thursday, as heavy rain caused treacherous conditions on the roads.

A status yellow warning for low temperatures and ice remains in place across the country until midday on Friday.

Met Eireann issued a warning for very cold and widespread frost, with icy stretches and lying snow persisting on Thursday and Friday.

There are warnings of hazardous conditions on roads and paths, with some travel disruption.

People in northern Scotland are being warned of a small chance of power cuts and mobile phone outages, as well as the potential for cancelled rail and air travel, due to the severe weather.

Under one of multiple yellow warnings issued by the Met Office for various parts of the UK, rural communities also face warnings of a “slight chance” they will be cut off.

The weather bureau is also warning residents in that region of risks of slips and falls on icy surfaces, as well as traffic disruptions due to Storm Bert moving over the UK through the coming days.

“There is a small chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel,” the Met Office says.

This week’s chilly snowy conditions have caused school closures, train cancellations and road delays in parts of the UK – but what impact could it have on our health?

Highlighting some of the consequences of cold weather, Age UK director Caroline Abrahams told PA: “The cold raises blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke, and breathing in cold air can also increase the risk, and impact, of serious illnesses like flu and pneumonia.”

But how does the wintry weather increase our blood pressure, and is there anything we can do to manage this?

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