Overview
- The Met Office says the cold snap will hit this weekend and that northern Scotland and the Northern Isles have the highest chance of wintry showers.
- Official elevation guidance warns temporary snow could reach 200–300 metres, with around 2–5 cm possible above 400 metres and up to 5–10 cm on the highest tops.
- Temperatures are expected to plunge, locally down to about −6°C, producing widespread frosts and a sharp wind-chill across large parts of the UK.
- Private forecasters have produced a wider scenario that names 47 counties that might see flurries early next week, most likely as brief, rural events rather than heavy lowland snowfall.
- The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow cold-health alert for the North West and West Midlands and urged checks on older people and those with long-term health conditions.