Parts of the UK have been warned to expect snow and hail showers, leading to icy roads later today, the Met Office has warned.
Brits can expect possible travel disruption from 8pm tonight as dropping temperatures mean some untreated roads and pavements may become slippery.
The Met Office’s yellow warning ranges from Derbyshire and into eastern Scotland, potentially affecting millions of people.
It comes into effect from 8pm this evening and continues until around 10am on Thursday morning, meaning likely misery for commuters attempting to get into work via driving or public transport.
The Met Office warned: “Further wintry showers overnight Wednesday and early Thursday may lead to fairly widespread icy patches, particularly on untreated surfaces.
“Some accumulations of snow are also possible, particularly across eastern Scotland and hillier areas of northeast England.
“1-2 cm accumulations are possible mainly above 100 m, with 5 cm over parts of Scotland, Northumberland and the North York Moors above 200-300 m.”
It comes as Arctic air moves in from the north, bringing a shock return to wintry conditions for many after the balmy weather last week where there were highs of 20C.
The warning reads: “Snow and hail showers could lead to icy surfaces, with possible travel disruption.
“Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths, leading to an increased chance of accidents or injuries.
“Some higher elevation roads may be also affected by snowfall, resulting in longer journey times.”
The cold snap makes it even colder in the UK than Reykjavik which is set to remain above zero for the coming week.
Met Office forecaster Clare Nasir said: “Warning for snow and ice across the north of Scotland through Tuesday and into Wednesday and eventually Arctic air strings right across the country.
“Let’s look at the broader picture and you can see the yellows just fade away as that weather front sinks down towards more southern areas during Wednesday.
“A warning in the north as that north/north easterly wind delivers snow showers across more northern and eastern areas through Wednesday as well as Thursday.
“The air generally turning a lot colder with the risk of frost.”
Wednesday is expected to remain chilly all day.
The Met Office warned some rural areas in northern Scotland could have temperatures as low as -8C on Thursday night.
It said: “Coupled with the sleet and snow is the drop in temperatures that many places have already been experiencing.
“Isolated rural areas in the north of Scotland could see temperatures as low as –8C on Thursday night, with sub-zero temperatures possible overnight for much of the UK throughout the week.
“The unsettled theme will continue through to the weekend, with the cold front clearing the far southeast on Thursday morning, followed by wintry showers for many places on Thursday and Friday, ahead of a continued unsettled weekend.
“Temperatures are likely to gradually recover to near-average over the weekend and into next week.”
Regions affected
Central, Tayside & Fife
- Angus
- Clackmannanshire
- Dundee
- Falkirk
- Fife
- Perth and Kinross
- Stirling
East Midlands
- Derbyshire
- Grampian
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
Highlands & Eilean Siar
Highland
North East England
- Darlington
- Durham
- Gateshead
- Hartlepool
- Middlesbrough
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- North Tyneside
- Northumberland
- Redcar and Cleveland
- South Tyneside
- Stockton-on-Tees
- Sunderland
Orkney & Shetland
- Orkney Islands
- Shetland Islands
SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
- Dumfries and Galloway
- East Lothian
- Edinburgh
- Midlothian Council
- Scottish Borders
- West Lothian
Strathclyde
- North Lanarkshire
- South Lanarkshire
Yorkshire & Humber
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- North Yorkshire
- South Yorkshire
- West Yorkshire
- York
