UK weather warning: Widespread risk of snow and ice

Much of the UK is at risk of snow and ice as temperatures plummet this weekend and into next week, warn weather experts.

On its National Severe Weather Warnings page, the Met Office has issued a 'Yellow: Be aware' weather warning of snow and ice in much of Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as north west England, north east England, Yorkshire and Humber, the West Midlands, and the East Midlands.

Describing what the 'Yellow: Be aware' warning level means, the Met Office writes: "Severe weather is possible over the next few days and could affect you.

"Yellow means that you should plan ahead, thinking about possible travel delays, or the disruption of your day to day activities.

"The Met Office is monitoring the developing weather situation and Yellow means keep an eye on the latest forecast and be aware that the weather may change or worsen, leading to disruption of your plans in the next few days."

And Leon Brown, meteorologist at The Weather Channel, agreed, telling Aol Travel that later in the weekend the snow risk is also high for areas further south. He said: "There's a cold Arctic flow from today (FrIday) and below normal temperatures lasting through next week. There's widespread ice and a risk of snow in many areas too.

"Later tonight we could see as much as 10cm of snow over the western Pennines and 5cm of snow over inland mid-Wales.

"On Saturday night, there's a further risk of snow across mid-Wales and spreading to the Midlands. Around 5cm to 10cm is possible over the high parts of mid-Wales, and places in the West Midlands to Staffordshire and Derbyshire could wake up to 2cm to 5cm.

"On Sunday afternoon and night there is a snow risk for South East England. The higher parts of Kent to Sussex may see a spell of moderate snow with 5cm to 10cm accumulating, especially the North and South Downs.

"Some snow could also move south across East Scotland to North East England during Sunday with 2cm to 5cm accumulations inland.

"At the moment, Monday looks like a dry and bright day for much of the UK, but frosty and icy. A severe frost is likely over the Scottish Highlands with temperatures in places below -10C.

"Another snow risk develops over the west during Tuesday and Wednesday, possibly moving further east to central Britain. The detail is uncertain at the moment. There's another snow threat from the north west later on Thursday, too."

Echoing the Met Office, Leon added: "Be well prepared for snow and ice later this weekend and next week whereever you are."