UK weather map reveals where and when to expect snow this weekend

The first weekend of the New Year looks set to be a chilly one as blankets of snow and sub-zero temperatures have hit parts of the UK.

The Met Office has issued six yellow weather warnings for snow and ice, with the latest warnings reaching into Monday.

Scotland looks set to be the worst hit after the forecaster issued several amber weather warnings for snow on Saturday.

Areas covered by amber alerts could see 30-40cm of snow on higher grounds, and winds could cause blizzards, the Met Office said.

Much of the country is expected to experience temperatures in the low single figures on Saturday, while northern Scotland could see the mercury dip below freezing.

But where else in the UK is likely to see snow this weekend, and how long is this weather expected to last?

Where can we expect to see snow in the UK this weekend?

On Friday, parts of the UK were already snowed under, which has already caused widespread disruption to road and rail across parts of northern Scotland.

Temperatures also hit sub-zero after Drumnadrochit on the shore of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands saw the mercury dip to minus 5.7C on Friday.

The Met Office has issued warnings about power cuts, stranded vehicles and communities being cut off.

Amber weather warnings for snow are in place on Saturday for Shetland and some parts of Scotland, covering Inverness and Aberdeen.

Those amber alerts are expected to remain in place until midday on Saturday, while the yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are in place for most of northern Scotland.

Meanwhile, yellow alerts for snow and ice are in place for much ofNorthern Ireland, including Belfast, Londonderry and Donegal.

A stretch of eastern England from Newcastle upon Tyne down to Middlesbrough, Scarborough and as far south as Norwich, Norfolk, has been issued with a yellow alert.

Snow and ice are also expected in Wales and in the South West region, with a yellow warning in place for Devon and Cornwall covering Taunton, Exeter, Plymouth and Truro.

Met Office chief meteorologist Rebekah Hicks said: ‘Arctic air and brisk northerly winds are gripping the UK as we start the new year.

‘Snow and ice warnings remain in force for many areas, with the risk of heavy snow showers, especially across northern Scotland and over higher ground elsewhere, though many inland areas will stay largely sunny and clear.’

How long is the snow and ice expected to last?

Scotland and Shetland’s amber warnings are expected to last until midday on Saturday, but that does not make the alert any less serious.

An amber weather alert indicates there may be severe travel delays, which could see both people and vehicles being stranded.

Those in rural areas have been told to take extra precautions as the freezing weather could result in some communities being cut off.

The yellow weather warnings in places across the UK are in place throughout the rest of the weekend.

Meanwhile, some of the alerts remain in place until 3pm on Monday.

Areas under a yellow alert may experience delays to road, rail and air, and the Met Office has warned to stay safe on icy surfaces to avoid any injuries from slips or falls.

Some pavements, roads and cycle lanes may become impassable as a result of snow and ice.

Ms Hicks, Met Office chief meteorologist, said: ‘Bitterly cold conditions will persist through the weekend and into next week, with daytime temperatures struggling to rise above freezing for some, and overnight lows dipping to minus double figures in places.’

What other warnings are in place for the UK?

The Met Office is not the only service to issue warnings across the weekend, with government health agencies and charities also warning about the dangers of the Arctic weather this weekend.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued its own warnings across England, which are in place until 10am on January 9.

An amber cold health alert indicates the weather is expected to cause a severe impact on health and social care services.

The Midlands, North East, North West, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London have all been issued this alert.

Those aged 65 or over or with health conditions are at particular risk as health officials expect a rise in deaths from the cold weather.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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