A huge wall of snow from northern Scotland all the way down to Manchester is set to batter the UK in just a few days as temperatures plummet.
An Arctic wind sweeping the country will bring a huge drop in temperature, with widespread frosts and temperatures as low as -10C in areas across the UK. Yellow weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office for snow and ice in northern Scotland on Sunday and Monday, and Northern Ireland on Monday.
Snow is predicted to fall heavily on Scotland and a large swathe of northern England. Roads and railways will be impacted by the heavy snowfall, the weather agency warns, as well roads, buses and train services.
Deputy chief forecaster Tony Wardle said: “There is the potential for some disruptive snow through the middle to latter part of next week as warmer Atlantic air attempts to push in from the southwest.
“As this occurs, some substantial snow could fall in some places, but the details of that are uncertain at the moment.”
Wind will also cause issues for Brits, as the Met Office issues a yellow wind warning for the Shetland islands on Sunday. It cautioned: “Some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large waves”.
Meanwhile an amber cold weather warning has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office for the South West, South East, West Midlands, East Midlands and North West parts of England until 12pm on Friday. This means the impact of the cold weather will likely be felt across health and social care during this time.
It warns of increased use of health care services by vulnerable populations and an increase in risk to health for people aged 65 years and over, those with pre-existing health conditions, and some other vulnerable groups, such as those sleeping rough.
The UKHSA’s Dr Agostinho Sousa said: “It is therefore vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the cold weather next week.”
Commenting on the huge drop in temperature, Met Office head of situational awareness Will Lang added: “There will be a resurgence in the really cold weather through the weekend and that spreads across the whole of the UK during the early part of next week.
“Initially, this means there will be more in the way of showers around the coasts, turning increasingly to snow for many areas, especially further north.”
The Met Office said 2-5cm (1-2in) of lying snow is possible widely and up to 10cm over high ground in northern Scotland. The warning is in place here from midnight on Sunday until 11.59pm on Monday
Meanwhile in Northern Ireland, a warning is in place from 3am until midnight on Monday. As much as 5cm of snow could fall in the region during this time.
This Evening and Tonight:
Cloud and patchy rain continuing to sink southwards across Wales and central England. Clearer spells and wintry showers following behind and feeling cold with icy stretches and winds strengthening, especially along North Sea coasts. Some freezing fog in the northwest.
Sunday:
Initially cloudy in the south with a little rain. Elsewhere, colder with sunny spells and wintry showers, mostly along the coasts and in Scotland with a brisk northerly wind developing.
Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:
Cold with sunny spells and wintry showers, with overnight frosts and ice. More significant snow possible for northern areas on Tuesday, lower confidence for snow in the south on Wednesday.
