Chilly New Year period forecast

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New Year revellers should wrap up warm and prepare for sub-zero temperatures as they welcome in 2009, weather forecasters warn.

Darren Bett from the BBC's Weather Centre said the cold weather front and widespread frost will stay for a while.

Temperatures in the UK could even plunge to -8C overnight over the next fortnight.

He blamed the cold weather on different changing wind directions but said there will be some sunny spells.

The daytime temperatures over the next week are expected to be 2-4C below the seasonal average for most areas

However, Mr Bett said sun was expected to shine in most areas on Monday, although it could take all day for the cloud to break in eastern Scotland and northeast England.

He said: "On Tuesday there will be fog patches in the morning but they will lift slowly, leaving most places dry with sunny periods.

"It will still be cold with temperatures reaching highs of 2-3C."

New Year's Eve would remain cold, he said, with cloud expected to come in from the North Sea and spread over England, east Wales and eastern Scotland.

"There should be some sunshine further west after a frosty start", he added.

The temperature for London on 31 December is predicted at 0C, while in Edinburgh it will be about -1C.