Historically low temperatures and heavy snowfall brought to the UK by the “Beast from the East” chill have wreaked havoc across the nation this week.

Hundreds of schools have been closed, flights grounded, trains cancelled and roads shut as heavy snow showers and freezing temperatures continue to blight the nation.

Extreme weather has led to a spate of tragic deaths, including a man who was pulled from a lake after jumping in to try and save his stricken pet dog.

The Met Office was forced to issue red weather warnings – the highest possible level – in Scotland on Wednesday for the second time in history as extreme weather swept Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Red weather alerts – which denote “take action” – warn of widespread damage, travel and power disruption and risk to life, according to Met Office guidance.

The red warnings for “heavier and prolonged” snow will remain in place overnight, when temperatures are expected to dip below freezing widely, before being lifted at 10am on Thursday.

Temperatures could reach staggering lows of -14C with windchill tonight in the Scottish Highlands, rivalling forecasts for parts of northern Norway and Iceland.

From Thursday afternoon, more weather misery will batter southern regions as a volatile band of low pressure from the Atlantic Ocean clatters into the UK.

The ferocious weather system, named Storm Emma by the Portuguese Meteorological Service, is forecast to unleash gale-force winds, harsh blizzards and more heavy snow.

More travel mayhem is expected virtually everywhere on Thursday, with the Met Office and the government urging drivers and commuters to avoid traveling if possible.

Storm Emma will also expected to bring a risk of thundersnow in southern England, as warm air clashes with cooler air to trigger a terrifying mix of snow, thunder and lightning.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: “We are expecting quite wide impacts from Emma when she arrives on Thursday night.

“We are forecasting more snow, strong winds and freezing rain which will make driving conditions extremely dangerous.”

A raft of yellow and amber weather alerts have been issued in southern England and Wales in anticipation of Storm Emma’s arrival.

Latest weather prediction models show the violent storm is expected to smash into the south-west coast of England on Thursday afternoon.

A staggering 20 inches (50cm) of snow could fall over parts of Dartmoor and Exmoor in Devon with accumulations of eight inches (20cm) elsewhere in south-west England.

Forecasters have warned the West Midlands, Wales, south-west England, London and south-east England to brace for “high impact” snowfall between 12pm on Thursday and 8am on Friday.

The Met Office’s chief forecast said: “Widespread snow is expected to develop through Thursday afternoon and evening, accompanied by strong easterly winds, leading to drifting of lying snow in places.

“Around 10-20cm is likely to fall quite widely, with the potential for up to 50 cm over parts of Dartmoor and Exmoor.

“As less cold air follows from the south, there is a chance of snow turning to freezing rain in places, with widespread icy stretched forming making driving conditions dangerous.

“The warning has been updated to reflect the growing confidence of a severe spell of weather and to remove parts of North Wales and Southeast England.”

Meanwhile, a yellow “be aware” alert warning for heavy snow in places will come into effect at 8am on Thursday and remain in place until just before midnight.

Up to eight inches (20cm) of snow could fall during that period across the East Midlands, London, south-west England, Wales and the West Midlands, the Met Office said.

Explaining that warning, the Met Office said: “A spell of snow, heavy in places, is likely to move slowly north from Thursday morning onwards.

“The snow will be accompanied by strong winds, leading to the potential for drifting of lying snow.

“Delays and cancellations to public transport are possible, as are delays to travel on roads; some stranding of vehicles and passengers could also occur.

“Some rural communities could become cut off.

“Interruptions to power supplies and mobile phone coverage are also possible.”

Forecasters predict the snow and freezing temperatures will continue, prompting the Met Office to extend some of its weather warnings.

The red warning for parts of Scotland is in place from 3pm Wednesday to 10am Thursday.

Amber warnings covering parts of Wales, England and Scotland have been issued.

A yellow warning covering vast swathes of the UK has been extended until 9am on Saturday.

Public Health England (PHE) has urged people to plan ahead to ensure they have enough food and medicine.

Disruption is expected to continue across rail operators c2c, CrossCountry, Northern, Greater Anglia and Stansted Express, Merseyrail, ScotRail, Southeastern, Southern, Virgin, Thameslink and Gatwick Express, South Western Railway, TfL Rail and London Overground.

Commuters are urged to check their routes before travelling.

A number of councils have already announced that their schools will be closed on Thursday.

In addition to schools, some universities and nurseries have also been forced to close.