Forecasters predict sleet and snow in Scotland, where it will be wintry on January 17, to fall onto higher ground, before some descend onto lower levels.
The movement from high to low ground means there is the risk of ice in places, particularly across Scotland and northern England.
In addition, widespread frost is going to target much of the UK, but there are a few areas which will be spared the breeze.
Northern Ireland, Wales and central and southern England are to escape the frost as temperatures will be just above freezing.
However, in Scotland and northern England the heat value will be at or just below sub-zero level. In Glasgow it is expected to fall to -1 degrees Celsius.
Meteorologist Carol Kirkwood warned BBC Breakfast viewers it would be particularly chilly on Thursday when she delivered the weather forecast.
She said: “We are looking at the risk of ice on untreated surfaces and also a widespread frost.”
Referring to her map, she added: “The hard frost is where you see the blues and as we come further south there will locally be some frost because there will equally be some cloud around.”
Prior to Thursday there will be some outbreaks of rain on Wednesday due to a change in wind direction and a weather front.
Previously the weather has been mild, but when the winds begin moving from the west or south westerly direction to a north or north westerly direction it will feel cooler.
As a result, Britons can expect a significant change in climate, most noticeably downpours and eventually wintry showers.
On Wednesday morning the rain initially starts in southern Scotland, before moving into northern England.
Then, the rain will set for north Wales and head down towards The Midlands, while showers in Scotland and Northern Ireland turn wintry.
Eventually, the rain is going to arrive in East Anglia and south east England, however, there will be some sunshine in the UK.
With temperatures set to tumble this week, leading bookmaker Coral has put odds on snow fall to land in any major UK city this week.
The bookies make it a 1-2 shot the white stuff drops in a UK city before the week is over in a few days.
Also, Coral are offering odds at 4-6 this winter is the coldest ever in the UK and 5-4 this month ends as the coldest January since records began.
Coral’s spokesman John Hill said: “With temperatures set to plummet later this week, the odds on snow falling have been slashed.
“With arctic conditions forecast for the next couple of months, the betting suggests this winter could end up as the coldest on record in the UK.”
BBC Breakfast airs weekdays on BBC One at 6am.