Snow and ice are forecast across parts of the UK in the coming days, in what the Met Office has said will be the country’s “first taste of winter”.

Temperatures will be much lower than the mid-November average by day – and may reach below freezing by night.

The early hours of Monday saw the coldest temperatures since last winter, with minus 7.8C logged in Tulloch Bridge, Scotland. Snow was already falling across northern Scotland by Monday afternoon.

The Met Office has issued three yellow warnings for snow and ice across northern Scotland, northern England, Northern Ireland and parts of the Midlands.

It has warned bus and train services may be delayed or cancelled, with some road closures and longer journey times possible.

Temperatures are predicted to drop to -2C in London on Friday, -4C in Birmingham and -7C further north.

There is a possibility of 15-20cm (6-8in) of snow on the ground above 300m (984ft) and 5-10cm (2-4in) in areas higher than 200m (656ft), with a “chance” that snow could hit lower levels and cause road disruption.

“It is going to be quite a widely cold week,” Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey said. “A few degrees below average both day and night for most of the country.”

The UK health security agency (UKHSA) has issued a rare amber cold weather health alert for the East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber are the regions on alert.

The agency has warned of an increased risk to vulnerable people and expected impact across the whole health service.

“It is vital to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the onset of cold weather. Particularly if they are elderly or otherwise at increased risk,” Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said.