REPORTS suggest that a “polar surge” will bring snow and ice across the UK this month.

It comes after temperatures plummeted as low as minus 1 degrees C in Sussex on Sunday night.

The county is due set to stay cold for the rest of the month, with rain and wind.

But the Met Office says snow could well be on the way by February, first falling on high ground and then moving into lower ground.

The Met Office said: “Through the first half of February, we are likely to see a north/south split continuing; with the north being more unsettled than the south. The heaviest of the rainfall and strongest winds are likely to be seen across the northwest.

“The south is more likely to see drier, brighter conditions with light winds. There is potentially a greater risk of frost and fog patches developing towards the south. During colder, showery interludes, any snow will most likely be over higher ground, but it could fall to lower levels at times.

“Temperatures will remain close to or above average through the period, though will likely fluctuate as frontal systems pass through.”