UK weather – Brits hit by snow TODAY and sleet as temperatures plummet ahead of 12C winter warmer next week
BRITS are being hit by snow and sleet TODAY as temperatures plummet.
Scotland was already blasted with the white stuff this morning as the mercury dipped to freezing on higher ground.
Drivers were seen making their way through the flurries on the M74 near Abington first thing as the rest of the country braced itself for the bone-chilling plunge.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice from Friday at 3pm until midnight, affecting central Scotland, Tayside, Fife, Grampian, the Highlands, Strathclyde and Orkney and Shetland.
And road users have been warned about icy patches which are likely to cause difficult driving conditions.
Forecasters said frequent and occasionally heavy snow showers are expected on Saturday night and Sunday, while strong westerly winds will lead to blizzard conditions and drifting snow on higher routes across the Highlands.
A yellow weather warning is in place for snow for both days between 3pm and 5pm.
The regions affected will be central, Tayside, Fife, the South West and Lothian and Borders, Strathclyde, the Highlands and Grampian.
About 2-5cm of snow is possible in places, with potentially 10-15cm gathering on routes above 300 metres.
Temperatures will drop to about 1C over the weekend, but in some areas it will be even colder at -6C, according to the Met Office.
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Icy patches will be an extra hazard, especially across western coastal areas.
Traffic Scotland has issued warnings to drivers in Dundee, Moray, Perth and Kinross and Aberdeenshire due to low temperatures affecting driving conditions.
Meanwhile snow could also settle in Wales and the northwest.
Those in the Midlands and the south will also see flurries, although they’re unlikely to cause disruption.
Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern said those living in central and southern areas including Dartmoor, Exmoor, the North and South Downs could wake up to a dusting of snow on Friday morning, although it’s not likely to cause any problems.
Mr McGivern told Sky News: “We’re all in the showery north-westerly airflow and that means frequent wintry showers, sleet, hail, snow for northern parts of the UK, particularly over the hills and feeling cold in the wind.”
He added the “see-saw temperatures” are the result of a jet stream oscillating around the north of the UK over the next five days.
When the jet stream sits to the north of the UK, it brings milder conditions – but when it dips further south, it brings colder air.
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The chill comes ahead of milder conditions next week, with highs of 12C expected across much of England by Wednesday.
But it’ll be bleak until Sunday in some areas, particularly in the north, while those living further south will face 50mph gales and rain showers.
Met Office officials say the mild winter is coming to a very abrupt end.
“We will say goodbye to mild conditions as much colder Arctic air floods southwards across all areas,” a spokesperson said.
“Friday morning could see sleet or snow flurries across central and southern England, although it is unlikely to accumulate.
“Colder air will spread across the UK, with wintry showers likely to continue across parts of Wales, North West England and Scotland.
“Northern Scotland can expect snow to lower levels.
“The sharp fall in temperatures will see a fairly widespread frost in the north on Friday.
“Saturday to Monday will be very windy in the north with rain or wintry showers, with some rain and strong winds at times in the south.”