Temperatures could fall to -10C in Norfolk tonight with forecasters warning that the Scandinavian conditions are set to last for the rest of the week.

Gritters fitted with snow ploughs are hitting Norfolk's 2,000 miles of priority routes tonight to try and clear the roads and make them driveable.

However, weather forecasters warned that driving conditions were set to get more treacherous overnight and in the morning with temperatures set to stay subzero during daylight hours.

Phil Garner, from the University of East Anglia-based Weatherquest, said snow showers were set to continue, but would be more isolated night and tomorrow. However, frost and ice was set to cause problems over the next 24 hours with temperatures set to fall to -10C tonight and set to be around -1C or -2C during the day tomorrow. Freezing fog is set to also cause issues tomorrow morning.

He added that the cold and icy blast from Scandinavia was set to last until Friday with the prospect of more snow at the weekend.

A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said the heavy snow at around lunchtime had been too much to cope with and gritting salt would prove less effective as temperatures drop.

'Norfolk County Council's gritting fleet has been in constant operation since the early hours of Monday morning is still ongoing. Localised snow flurries have been encountered and we continue to work through them as our activities continue.'

'Norfolk County Council's gritting fleets will continue to grit throughout the afternoon into the evening, and again from 3am tomorrow,' the spokesman said.

To view a map of Norfolk's gritting routes, see http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/Travel_and_transport/Roads/Road_maintenance/Winter_roads/Gritting/index.htm