The end of the cold snap could be just around the corner, according to BBC forecasters – but not before another day of freezing conditions.
Wintry weather is expected to continue overnight into Saturday, with more ice and frost due in some places.
It comes after the UK recorded its coldest January night in 15 years overnight on Thursday – and temperatures fell even lower early on Friday evening, with -16.1C (3F) recorded at the hamlet of Altnaharra in the northern Scottish Highlands.
However, high pressure is set to build across the country over the weekend, leading to a significant thaw of snow and ice by Sunday and ushering in a warmer start to the new week.
"After what's been the most significant cold spell of this winter so far, temperatures are finally due to start rising this coming weekend," BBC Weather forecaster Stav Danaos said.
"High pressure will build in across the country with its centre gradually moving to the east of the UK.
"This will bring mild south-westerly winds to all areas by the time we move into next week."
Temperatures will slowly start to recover across western fringes of the UK, with central and eastern parts still likely to remain cold on Saturday and Sunday.
Scotland and Northern Ireland will see the quickest rise, with temperatures climbing to above average numbers for January by Monday.
This will lead to a significant thaw of all the snow and ice that may lead to higher river levels and a risk of flooding in places.
"The changes in England and Wales will be slower but by around Tuesday milder air should arrive," Mr Danaos said.
"Much like Scotland, local flooding is possible in parts of northern England as snow and ice melts – especially from the Pennines."
With high pressure on the cards, much of the country will have fine and settled conditions by next week.
The mild, moisture-laden air sliding in off the Atlantic will mean some western hills in the UK will experience cloudy skies with drizzle, along with mist and fog in places too.
"This milder, settled picture will last throughout the week with no signs of another cold spell returning anytime soon," Mr Danaos said.
Four yellow weather warnings – mostly for ice, with one for snow and ice – were in place on Friday morning, but have now all expired.
They came after the cold snap brought heavy snowfall to many areas in the UK.
The number of flood warnings, first issued earlier in the week, have been gradually decreasing.
School closures appeared to be less extensive on Friday than on Thursday.
The UK also saw widespread warnings of travel disruption to road and rail services this week.
"It's been pretty dire and treacherous in places across the roads this week across the UK," AA president Edmund King told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"We've seen breakdowns increase by about 60%, calls to our accident assist hotline are also up."
Railway services across the UK have also affected by conditions including ice and snow.
Parts of Transport for Wales' network were closed following damage to the track due to weather conditions.
Manchester Airport also temporarily closed its runways briefly on Thursday morning due to "significant levels of snow".
In North Yorkshire, staff who had been snowed-in and stuck inside a pub for days were finally able to leave on Thursday.
"The roads have been so bad," one member of staff told PA news agency.
"There are places where you can see it's near enough four foot. The snow is just so high."
Although not much rain is forecast this weekend, western parts of the UK, especially northern and western Scotland, will become milder as Atlantic air arrives.
This will result in a rapid snow melt, heightening the risk of flooding again, as this area was recently badly affected by floods.
A number of flood warnings remain in England for Friday and into early next week, when the milder air and a little rain will arrive.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reused quotes from people affected by the weather over the weekend as if they were current.
Altnaharra in the Highlands recorded the lowest overnight temperature of the winter in Scotland.
Mobile phone footage shows the moment a hare ran in a snowy field with a herd of deer.
Our weekly round-up showing what's been happening across the county as the temperatures dropped.
West Midlands residents share pictures of the wintry conditions as temperatures fall well below freezing.
This is the moment a sheep was pulled free from a snow drift where it had been trapped.
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