Blistering winds and five days of snow and heavy rain are expected across Britain this week, as thousands of vulnerable people continue to struggle without power following deadly Storm Arwen amid near freezing temperatures. The latest weather data is predicting five consecutive days of driving rain and snowfall, with much of it destined for the north of the country. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across much of the UK, with snowfall expected to hit the North East tomorrow and sweep across the country, while Tuesday is set to bring more snow across the North West and Scotland with strong winds and heavy rain forecast for the rest of Britain. Three further consecutive days of snowfall and heavy rain are predicted for the North, while Scotland is expected to be covered in up to four inches of snow on Thursday as heavier drifts make their way in from the East. 'A deep area of low pressure moving in across the UK from the Atlantic is likely to bring high winds to many parts of the UK,' said the Met Office today. 'Strong winds arriving into the west through the morning, spreading inland and reaching eastern areas through the afternoon and early evening. Gusts of 45-50 mph are expected widely, with 60-70 mph in exposed coastal locations. It comes as thousands of partygoers delighted in a Saturday night tear-up despite widespread rain and near-freezing temperatures across much of the UK, as revellers could not wait to get into the Christmas spirit despite experts' warning of the Omicron Covid wave. There are huge concerns for the thousands of people in northern England and Scotland who are still living without power nine days after Storm Arwen caused massive network damage to parts of the UK. The latest national figures from industry body Energy Networks Association (ENA) this morning showed over 4,000 homes are still without power - the majority of which are located in the north east of England. Residents are now bracing for almost freezing temperatures, with parts of northern England and Scotland expected to see lows of 1C (34F) tonight. The latest weather data is predicting five consecutive days of driving rain and snowfall, with much of it destined for the north of the country (Pictured: Huge waves at Blackpool North shore yesterday evening) By Tuesday, most of England is expected to see strong winds and heavy rain, with snowfall predicted for the North West and Scotland Forecasters said that the north west of England would be battered by rain and wind this week, with much of the UK set to face driving rain for several days (Pictured: Waves crash over tramlines at Blackpool yesterday) Revellers brave freezing rain last night in Nottingham as Christmas parties get into full swing despite the harsh conditions Leeds city centre saw thousands of party goers fill the streets last night getting into the Christmas spirit despite heavy rainfall and storms There are huge concerns for the thousands of people in northern England and Scotland who are still living without power nine days after Storm Arwen damaged the network. The Energy Networks Association (ENA) said that over 4,000 people were still without power this morning (Pictured: A welfare check is carried out on a resident of Weatherhill, County Durham on Friday) Shoppers and commuters get caught in a downpour as heavy rain hits Newcastle this morning with more cold weather, including snow, wind and rain, forecast across the UK next week The long delays to restore power to thousands of homes in northern England and Scotland have prompted energy regulator Ofgem to warn it will take enforcement action against network companies which failed to supply electricity quickly enough following the storm. Ofgem announced on Friday it was launching a review of the companies' response to the storm which left thousands of homes without electricity. It has also agreed with firms to lift the £700 cap on compensation which could be given to customers. The change will allow those affected to claim £70 for each 12-hour period they are left without power, after an initial £70 for the first 48 hours. Chief executive Jonathan Brearley told BBC Radio 4: 'We are deeply concerned about customers who for over a week have been without power. 'We want to establish the facts and make sure we understand what has happened, whether the network companies have met their obligations. If they haven't, we will take enforcement action. It is predicted that a band of rain on Monday will be preceded by snow that could be widespread in Scotland, northern England and the Midlands, and North Wales. Pictured: Blackpool North shore Temperatures are expected to remain cold this week, with lows of 1C (34F) in the north of England and Scotland : The sunrise over Whitby, north-east England Today continues to be cold with some showers in the east of England while the west will have a little sunshine before being hit with heavy rain and strong winds next week. Pictured: Whitby Abbey casts a shadow 'We have clear expectations of how fast they should get people back on the system. 'We do recognise the challenging circumstances those companies are in. But what we expect from the network companies is to be relentless in connecting people, but also to be putting support in place.' Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: 'My thoughts are with all those who are still affected by the terrible damage from Storm Arwen. 'I want to thank the emergency responders and engineers who have been working tirelessly this week to try and restore power. 'I also want to thank our brilliant Armed Forces who have been deployed rapidly to support those communities which are worst affected.' The Ministry of Defence said 297 personnel from the British Army and Royal Marines are supporting civil authorities in areas impacted by Storm Arwen and are conducting door-to-door checks on vulnerable people in their homes and providing reassurance to local communities. Eighty soldiers of 4 Royal Artillery based at Alan Brook Barracks in Topcliffe have deployed to Northumberland on Saturday to check on vulnerable people and identify where additional support is required, a statement said. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: 'Our dedicated Armed Forces personnel are working side by side with civil authorities to provide essential support to communities impacted by Storm Arwen. The Ministry of Defence said 297 personnel from the British Army and Royal Marines are supporting civil authorities in areas impacted by Storm Arwen and are conducting door-to-door checks on vulnerable people in their homes and providing reassurance to local communities The showers have been heaviest and most frequent in the north and west, whilst more persistent rain and hill snow affects northern parts. Pictured: Sunrise over Whitby The Ministry of Defence (MoD) released photographs of Royal Marines of 45 Command visiting remote communities and vulnerable households in the Banchory area of Aberdeenshire on Friday and Saturday following the power outages 'The ability to deploy quickly to wherever in the UK assistance is requested makes us all safer and ensures we are able to look protect the most vulnerable in our society.' The head of the energy market regulator has agreed with electricity companies to lift the cap on compensation for customers whose power was not restored quickly enough following Storm Arwen. Ofgem announced on Friday it was launching a review of the companies' response to the storm which left thousands of homes without electricity. The agreement between the regulator and companies means customers could receive more than the cap of £700 if firms are found to have fallen short of their obligations. Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley told BBC Breakfast: 'One thing we've done already is we've said to network companies, and they've agreed, they've lifted the cap on the compensation they will give customers and they'll make sure that those customers do get some compensation for everything they've been through.' He added: 'What we want to do, simply, is establish the facts, make sure quickly that lessons are learned and, of course, if obligations haven't been met, then we will pursue enforcement action.' All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility