Warning of travel disruption as snow forecast for much of UK

A blanket of snow is expected to bring travel disruption this week as a deep chill grips the UK.

A band of rain is due to push east across England on Tuesday evening and, meeting with cold air, is likely to turn to snow overnight.

Around 0.4in to 1.2in (1cm-3cm) could accumulate on lower-lying levels, with the possibility of 2in to 4in (5cm-10cm) falling on higher ground, forecasters said.

Three separate yellow warnings for snow and ice, covering most of the UK, have been issued, warning of road and rail delays, and hazardous untreated icy paths.

The first, covering south and west Scotland, is in force between 1am on Tuesday and 12pm the same day.

Another takes effect from midday on Tuesday until 11am on Wednesday, covering Wales, the West Midlands, and the North of England.

The third, for the South East, the Midlands, and East Anglia, takes effect from 9pm on Tuesday to midday on Wednesday, and warns of “possibly heavy” snow at times.

The Met Office added there was a “slight chance” that rural communities could be cut off and that power cuts may occur.

Forecaster Ellie Creed said: “It’s a case of normal wintry hazards that we would expect – snow, ice, frost are going to be quite prevalent over the next few days.”

It follows a windy weekend which left parts of Wales without electricity on Sunday as overhead cables were felled.

Strong northerly winds with gusts of up to 70mph pounded the west and east coasts.