Snow in Scotland as icy air sweeps in from the north

Parts of Britain face more than an inch of snow tonight amid icy conditions as temperatures fall as low as -10C.

The Met Office has issued an ice warning covering nearly the whole of Britain from 10pm tonight until 11am tomorrow as a blast of Arctic air sweeps across the country, bringing frost and snow.

The worst affected areas will be in Scotland, where snow has already been settling across the Western Isles, and forecasters expect up to 1.6in (4cm) over the Highlands and Grampians within a 24-hour period.

The Met Office said some roads and railways are likely to be affected with longer journey times expected by bus and train, while some people could suffer injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces. 

Flights at Stornoway Airport on the Isle of Lewis faced delays while the runway was cleared of snow this morning

Flights at Stornoway Airport on the Isle of Lewis faced delays while the runway was cleared of snow this morning

Surfers take on the big waves at Tynemouth today after the Met Office issued a weather warning for snow and ice

Surfers take on the big waves at Tynemouth today after the Met Office issued a weather warning for snow and ice

A snowy landscape at Lochs on the Isle of Lewis today, where one local said the conditions are making the roads dangerous

A snowy landscape at Lochs on the Isle of Lewis today, where one local said the conditions are making the roads dangerous

Snow on the roads this morning led to difficult conditions at Tarbert on the Isle of Harris in the Western Isles of Scotland

Snow on the roads this morning led to difficult conditions at Tarbert on the Isle of Harris in the Western Isles of Scotland

Temperatures will to plunge in the wake of a weather front bringing rain to many areas today, with daytime highs due to halve from 10C to 11C (50F to 52F) today to a chilly 5C (41F) by tomorrow.

Areas of frost are expected from tonight, with forecasters warning overnight lows could fall to -5C (23F) or even -10C (14F) in very rural areas of Scotland.

Cold air will come in from the North Atlantic initially but by tomorrow the wind will change, coming directly from the Arctic. Average daytime temperatures in the south of England will struggle to get above 6C (43F).

While this is average for the time of year, Met Office forecaster Bonnie Diamond said the contrast after such a mild January will have people reaching for warm coats: 'We're going to really feel the switch to colder temperatures.'

The Met Office said there are signs cold air from the east could make its way to the UK until the end of the month, but it does not automatically mean the return of last year's Beast from the East which brought heavy snow.

Forecasters predicts 'cold conditions are likely to remain for the rest of January'. A 'cold but changeable' outlook remains likely until mid-February, they add, with 'spells of strong winds and rain, turning to snow at times'. 

 

The Met Office has warned of snow and ice across Britain

Temperatures remain around average today

The Met Office has warned of snow and ice across Britain (left), while temperatures remain around average today (right)

Temperatures will to plunge in the wake of a weather front bringing rain to many areas today, with daytime highs due to halve

Temperatures will to plunge in the wake of a weather front bringing rain to many areas today, with daytime highs due to halve

Met Office chief meteorologist Dan Suri said: 'From Thursday colder arctic air will have spread across the country, with temperatures struggling to reach above 5C or 6C for most of us.

What are the Met Office weather warnings today?

SNOW AND ICE WARNING - NORTHERN SCOTLAND

From 12pm today until 12pm tomorrow

Snow showers, with strong winds and icy conditions will make travelling difficult, especially over the hills and in northern coastal areas.

What to expect

Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces Probably some ice on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths

Snow showers already affecting some parts, especially hills, will become more widespread later on Wednesday before slowly starting to become less frequent and less intense later on Thursday. The heaviest and most frequent snow will tend to be over hills and mountains as well as in northern coastal areas. Several centimetres of snow are expected over the Highlands and Grampians whilst at low levels snow cover will be smaller and patchier in nature with some places, especially coastal areas, seeing little lying snow. Conditions will also be windy and icy stretches are still expected where snow does not settle.

ICE WARNING FOR ENGLAND, SOUTHERN SCOTLAND WALES AND NORTHERN IRELAND 

From 10pm today until 11am tomorrow

Icy patches developing with wintry showers also affecting some areas.

What to expect

Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces Probably some ice on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths

Icy patches are expected to develop later Wednesday evening or overnight over southern Scotland and Northern Ireland and during the early hours of Thursday over England and and Wales. There will also be some wintry showers about, mainly over hills and mountains, but also to some lower levels at times, most

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