The Met Office has warned parts of the country will be blanketed with up to six inches of snow tonight as a wintry blast is set to batter the UK.
Several yellow snow and ice warnings have been issued across the country from 4pm yesterday until 10am this morning.
Between 10-15cm of snow is expected to hit parts of Scotland and northern England, while between one to three cm is set to descend on lower areas of land overnight.
The forecaster warned of injuries due to ‘slips and falls on icy surfaces’ as well as urging them to take ‘extra time’ while driving on affected roads.
And motorists won’t be the only ones affected, with rail, bus and other forms of public transport set to experience ‘some disruption’.
Meanwhile, the snowfall is forecast to continue into Sunday morning, with spells of freezing rain set to hammer down throughout the night.
Elsewhere, across most of Wales as well as central and southern England, a yellow ice warning put in place from 5pm tonight until 10am tomorrow.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow health alerts amid the cold weather the Midlands and northern England over the weekend.
CUMRBIA: Heavy traffic following snowfall on the A66 near Stainmore, north east England
BOOSBECK: A snow plough keeps road clear as snow falls on the North Yorkshire Moors on February 13
Several yellow snow and ice warnings have been issued by the Met Office across the country from 4pm yesterday until 10am this morning
These alerts warn when the weather is likely to have ‘minor impacts on health and social care services, including increased use of healthcare services and a greater risk to life of vulnerable people’.
Meanwhile, the Met Office said icy surfaces might lead to some icy patches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths as it urged the public to check before they travel.
In Northern Ireland, a yellow warning for ice came into force at 8pm on Friday and will run until 10am on Saturday.
Met Office chief forecaster Rebekah Hicks said: ‘Snow is likely ahead of the rain across northern England and Scotland and could reach lower levels at times on Saturday night into Sunday.
‘The snow will gradually turn to rain as the front moves east across the country on Sunday. The rain may be heavy at times, and it will be windy in coastal areas.
‘Additional warnings may be required. We encourage the public to keep up to date with the latest forecasts and any warnings that may be issued.’
It comes as the Environment Agency advised the public to remain ‘vigilant’ as 75 flood warnings and 151 flood alerts remain in place across the country.
Jonathan Day, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: ‘With another band of rain on its way, we need the public to remain vigilant to the risk of flooding.
COUNTY DRUHAM: Bowes Castle in the eponymous village blanketed in snow on February 13
CUMBRIA: Heavy traffic i the snowy conditions on the A66 near Stanmore yesterday
The UK Health Security Agency has announced cold health alerts from Friday to Monday
‘So far, more than 24,000 homes and business have been protected but sadly around 330 have suffered flooding and our thoughts are with those communities affected.
‘Our teams will continue to do all they can to support local people, with pumps, temporary barriers and by clearing waterways to ensure flood water can drain away.’
Floods minister Emma Hardy said: ‘Flooding is devastating and my thoughts are with the people affected, and I urge residents to follow local advice over the next few days to ensure they stay safe.’
The Arctic blast comes after a record-breaking month of rain, which became the wettest January on record for Cornwall in south-west England and County Down in Northern Ireland, according to the Met Office.
The forecaster said many have been left with a sense that winter has been ‘stuck on repeat’, with 26 of its weather stations setting new records for January rainfall.
The UK has already seen 89 per cent of the average rainfall expected for meteorological winter (December, January and February) – while England has exceeded it by 11 per cent, it said.
Parts of Devon, Cornwall, Worcestershire, Somerset and West Sussex have recorded more than 30 consecutive days of rain, while North Wyke in Devon, Cardinham in Cornwall, and Astwood Bank in Worcestershire have seen it rain for more than 40 days – every day of the year so far.
