The UK will be hit by a 400-mile ice and snow bomb in just hours according to new weather maps. Weather maps from WXCharts show the north of the country is set for a chilly night with snow and ice predicted across Scotland.
Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle will see heavy rain and cold winds but are expected to avoid the majority of the snow.
Most of Wales will also see plenty of rain along with the west of Northern Ireland, however the south of England is expected to avoid the bomb entirely, with just a few patches of drizzle.
The UK will see gusts between 75kmh and 100kmh, with the strongest winds set to hit the midlands as well as the south and north of England.
Those living in Plymouth, Southampton and Southampton could see winds of more than 110kmh according to the maps.
The Met Office says Storm Gerrit will continue to bring “strong winds and blustery showers” for the rest of the day, with long spells of rain expected to continue tomorrow.
Its forecast read: “Through this evening and overnight, rain and hill snow across the far north will become confined to Shetland with severe gales. Elsewhere, a mixture of clear spells and showers, showers banded together in the west. Very windy for all.”
The Met Office said people in the UK should wrap up warm tomorrow with a “chilly” day predicted.
It said: “Showers or longer spells of rain pushing in from the west at times. The showers will be locally heavy and squally, perhaps with hail. Feeling chilly.”
But by Friday and Sunday, it predicts brighter weather although showers will persist in some parts of the country.
The Met Office forecast read: “Brighter and showery on Friday, though windy. Further hill snow in north. Turning cloudier and windier on Saturday with rain arriving later, followed by showers and sunny spells on Sunday.”
Moving into next week and the new year, the Met Office predicted “slightly above average” temperatures in the south and “slightly below average” temperatures in the north.
It said: “If the colder air filters southwards wintry showers could be seen across parts of England and Wales, and it is possible some more significant snowfall could occur along the mild/cold air boundary.”
This Evening and Tonight:
Through this evening and overnight, rain and hill snow across the far north will become confined to Shetland with severe gales. Elsewhere, a mixture of clear spells and showers, showers banded together in the west. Very windy for all.
Thursday:
Showers or longer spells of rain pushing in from the west at times. The showers will be locally heavy and squally, perhaps with hail. Feeling chilly.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Brighter and showery on Friday, though windy. Further hill snow in north. Turning cloudier and windier on Saturday with rain arriving later, followed by showers and sunny spells on Sunday.
