Gritted roads are liable to refreeze at temperatures lower than -8 to -10C.

BBC: UK freezes as night-time temperatures fall

And the motoring organisation warned drivers should still take care as freezing temperatures overnight could refreeze ice which had melted.

BBC: Satellite image of UK under snow - University of Dundee

The Met Office says existing snow in many areas will melt on roads and pavements by day, but refreeze by night to give icy patches.

BBC: Power problems remain after severe weather cuts supplies

And if all else fails, Harvard professor David Keith, proposes geo-engineering as a way to combat global warming with his plan to refreeze the Arctic.

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But the scientists say this is unlikely to happen for several decades because much of the water is likely to percolate down the ice sheet and refreeze.

BBC: West Antarctic Ice Sheet warming twice earlier estimate