Snow expected in UK over weekend with ‘coldest days of season so far’
When the clocks go back this weekend, cold Arctic air will cause temperatures to drop across the UK and wintry conditions are expected to bring the first snow of the season.
The Met Office said showers of snow would fall in the Scottish Highlands on Saturday, while “patchy frost” would cover England and northern Scotland on Sunday morning.
This weekend will also feature the “coldest days so far this season” with temperatures dropping into single digits. The forecaster added that strong winds on Saturday will make the day feel like December and conditions will feel a few degrees lower, with a “brisk, stormy feel”.
“The combination of strong breezes and incoming colder air means dew may be felt in exposed spots during daylight hours,” the Met Office said.
Frequent showers are also expected in Northern Ireland, northern Scotland, Wales and the South West.
The Atlantic low from the North West will bring a feeling of coolness on Saturday night, but there will be “plenty of initial sunshine” across much of the central and eastern regions on Sunday morning.
The Met Office said: “Eastern Scotland and the east of England may have brighter skies until the afternoon.
“Elsewhere clouds will increase, with a few early showers followed by more persistent rain around midday for Northern Ireland, Scotland and the western fringes of England and Wales.”
The cold weekend comes after Storm Benjamin ravaged the UK this week with torrential downpours and winds of more than 70mph.
The Met Office issued four yellow weather warnings on Thursday, while more than 40 flood warnings were issued in the morning.
UK five-day forecast
Tonight:
Heavy rain will move southwards across much of the country this evening and overnight, reaching south-east England by dawn. A mix of clear skies and scattered showers is coming from the northwest. The wind is still windy and getting cooler where the skies are clear.
Saturday:
Fairly cloudy in the North East, with light rain at times. Intermittent showers will also be effective in the western parts, but mostly dry and sunny weather will be effective in other places as well. Another cold day.
Outlook from Sunday to Tuesday:
It’s been a mostly dry start to Sunday, but rain is spreading from the North West throughout the day. Variability will continue early next week, particularly in the North West, but temperatures are slowly recovering.
