Parts of Britain are likely to face brutal weather conditions as a huge 687-mile wall of snow will smash the country, affecting areas as far south as Cornwall.
Latest weather maps have turned a mix of white and purple reflecting heavy snow showers across the country on Friday (February 23).
The snowy conditions arrive after hours of rain and strong gusts with the Met Office issuing a yellow warning for parts of the UK.
Maps from WXCharts show that areas from Wick to Cornwall are likely to witness scattered snow showers with temperature levels plummeting to -2C in the northern areas of Britain.
Areas around Cardiff and Plymouth could see some snow on the ground, maps suggest. Temperatures will fall as low as 0C in the southern areas of the country.
Jo Farrow, a meterologist with Netweather.tv said: “The current mild air will be replaced by a northwesterly flow from Greenland, followed by a more northerly but slack flow lasting into the weekend. Later on Friday, the rash of heavy showers, feeding in on westerly surface winds, will ease.
“In the next few days, these will include sleet and hill snow in the north and west. As the winds fall light for the start of the weekend, there will be frost overnight with temperatures dipping below zero and also the risk of ice. Daytime temperatures will be around 6 to 9C.
“This is closer to what is expected at this time of year, but it will still seem colder compared to the mildness of last weekend.”
Meanwhile, a yellow warning for rain is currently in place across the West Midlands, South Wales and south-west England until 2pm with some places forecast to see 20-30mm of rain, according to the Met Office.
The warning states: “A band of heavy rain and squally winds will move east across South Wales and south-west England early on Thursday morning, with further heavy rain at times until early afternoon.
“Some places will see 10-15mm of rain within 2 hours and a few places could have 20-30mm of rain during the period of the warning.”
Today:
A band of heavy squally rain will move southeastwards, bringing a risk of thundery conditions. Sunny spells to follow and blustery showers. A risk of gales developing for a time in the south. Temperatures returning to average.
Tonight:
Scattered showers for the west and north, risk of snow on hills across Wales, northwest England and parts of Scotland. Temperatures close to average with widespread frost in the north.
Friday:
Breezy with sunny spells and showers. Can be heavy at times with a risk of thunder and hail. Most showers in the west and along southern coasts.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
Sunny spells and blustery showers on Saturday, falling as snow over northern hills. Perhaps turning wetter and winder across southern parts heading into Sunday. Near average temperatures.
