ARCTIC FREEZE Met Office issues yellow warnings for SNOW spanning three days as Arctic air brings -2C chill – check map of locations
THE Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice lasting three days as Arctic air brings a minus 2C chill.
The alert is in place across northern parts of Scotland and northern England.
Temperatures are predicted to drop on Saturday night - allowing the snow and ice to creep in and settle.
Up to 20cm of snowfall is possible on higher ground on Monday and Tuesday, with a small chance of up to 10cm of snow settling at lower levels, which could prove disruptive.
The Met Office has warned to Brits to expect "slippery surfaces and difficult travel conditions" during that time.
The warning covers much of southern Scotland and north-east England, parts of Yorkshire, and parts of the north-west of England, including Lancashire and Cumbria.
Scotland is set to be impacted from 4pm Sunday until 11am on Monday.
Meanwhile, the rest of the UK's warning is in place from 10am Monday until 10am Tuesday.
The forecaster said: "Little snow is likely to settle at low levels by day, but through the evening and overnight, one to three cm may accumulate in some places, whilst five to 10cm is possible on high ground above 300 metres by Monday morning."
A band of wintry weather is expected to batter much of the UK on Saturday
"Fog and frost pockets" will be visible first thing alongside thick cloud and drizzle, say the weather service.
Further inland areas however are predicted to stay dry with crisp winter sun amongst the "unsettled" conditions elsewhere.
Winds arriving from the north will bring the chilly snap with them - covering most of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England throughout Saturday.
And as temperatures drop, sleet and snow will fall over northern Scotland around 4pm.
Alex Deakin, a Met Office meteorologist, said: [Around] 4cm of snow will fall across three hours on Saturday afternoon across the Scottish Highlands, parts of Aberdeenshire and some parts of Stirling.
"It is only really across Scotland... Obviously, it wouldn't take much of a swing and for that air to be a bit colder when that air comes in for snow to be seen at lower levels.
"But at this stage it looks like it is just going to be snow on the hills in Scotland."
He added: "Cold air will be flooding its way south over Saturday night.
"By the time we get to the early hours of Sunday morning, much of Scotland will be covered in freezing levels where ground is only at 400m."
It will be cold everywhere with an overnight frost and a punishing wind chill.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mark Sidaway said: “The high pressure that has been responsible for the mainly dry weather through much of this week will retrogress into the Atlantic as we get towards the weekend.
"This will gradually introduce more unsettled weather, initially in the north from Friday but more widely from Sunday.
“In addition to this increased rainfall, which could be heavy at times on Sunday, temperatures will also drop, especially for those in Scotland, as a northerly airflow develops, bringing colder Arctic air to some northern areas.
“This shift does introduce the possibility of snow, initially over high ground in the north from Sunday, with gusty winds also a potential hazard.
"There is a lot of uncertainty by Sunday, but there remain a number of scenarios which could bring some more widespread rain, along with some hill snow and stronger winds.
"Warnings for winter hazards are possible later in the weekend, so it’s important to stay up to date with the latest forecast.”
Five-day weather forecast
THE outlook for the next couple of days appears to remain chilly, with snowfall in parts.
According to the Met Office, this is what we can expect:
Today
Much of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England will have a largely cloudy day, with the risk of rain in the west. Drier and brighter for the rest of England and Wales, with sunny spells. Temperatures a little above average.
Tonight
Cloud and patchy rain will move southwards across Scotland, Northern Ireland and into northern England. Showers following, these wintry over the hills. Clear spells further south, with a patchy frost.
Saturday
Cloud and patchy rain will continue to move southwards across England and Wales. Sunny spells and scattered showers elsewhere, falling as snow for parts of Scotland. Colder in the north.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday
Sunny spells and wintry showers in the north. Cloudier elsewhere, with outbreaks of rain and stronger winds developing at times. Perhaps some snow over the higher ground. Colder for many.
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