Dry, colder weather across the UK will see flood warnings decrease but raise the chances of snow next week, say forecasters.

Plunging temperatures have brought ice and snow to areas already suffering from recent floods.

The risk is not over yet but things are starting to ease a bit in a lot of areas Environment Agency spokeswoman

Wintry conditions are expected to continue into next week with temperatures just above freezing in many parts with a high wind chill factor.

The Environment Agency (EA) estimates that about 550 properties have been flooded over the last week, but says the threat is decreasing.

The number of flood warnings in place across the UK had fallen to 52 by 1630 GMT on Sunday, while the number of severe flood warnings had dropped to just one.

On Sunday, snow is most likely across northern Scotland and the eastern side of England on higher ground, according to the BBC Weather Centre.

European situation

Across Europe several countries have struggled against severe weather conditions.

In Germany, at least three people were killed in widespread flooding.

In France, thousands of travellers were forced to spend the night in their cars or stranded at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris after a rare snowstorm.

Ice has added to driving dangers

Flights were halted as snow and strong crosswinds made the runways too dangerous.

About 15,000 motorists spent most of the night stuck on a motorway south-west of Paris.

The abrupt change to colder weather in the UK brought two to three inches of snow on Saturday to areas of Kent, one of the counties worst affected by flooding this week.

The EA said the severe flood warning still in force was on the River Thames between Old Windsor and Penton Hook.

A previous severe flood warning on the Chertsey Bourne from Chertsey to Weybridge was downgraded.

A spokeswoman said the River Thames had reached "extremely high levels", with flows in some places higher than those experienced during the 'great flood of 1947'.

Remaining cold

But the Agency's 'Jubilee River' - a major flood alleviation channel which opened in 2001 on the Thames - saw its first major test, successfully preventing the flooding of several hundred properties in the Maidenhead area.

Property in the area flooded badly in 1990 and again in the major floods of Autumn 2000.

The spokeswoman said on Sunday: "The situation is generally improving in response to drier weather with the total number of warnings down to about half the number in force yesterday."

Temperatures have plummeted across the UK

BBC Weather Centre spokeswoman Penny Tranter said the weather was expected to remain very cold and dry on Monday and Tuesday, with the risk of snow returning on Tuesday night and into Wednesday.

Already, hilly areas in the north of England, north Wales and Scotland have had up to five inches of snow as a result of the cold arctic air.

Norfolk police described icy road conditions on Saturday night as "horrendous" and gritters were sent out.

Other areas which have received snow warnings from the Met Office include Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex.

Ms Tranter said: "There is a risk of snow in the South West on Tuesday and Wednesday. We will be monitoring this closely."

For the latest information on flood warnings, the Environment Agency advises people to call Floodline on 0845 988 1188.