Snow mapped: Where will wintry showers hit UK this week as temperatures to plunge to -10C

A blanket of snow is set to fall upon parts of the UK as the Met Office forecasts wintry showers this week as temperatures may plunge as low as -10C.

There are currently 11 weather warnings in place this week as heavy rain, snow and ice are all expected to descend upon the country. Up to 20cm of snow could settle on higher ground as a band of cold air pushes north on Thursday.

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A yellow weather warning for snow has been issued for East Midlands, East of England, North East England, North West England, Wales, West Midlands, and Yorkshire & Humber from 3am Thursday until 3am Friday.

The forecaster said a whole day of snow could lead to some disruption, with power cuts and travel delays possible.

“A band of rain, sleet, and increasingly snow, will push north on Thursday bringing up to 2cm snow at lower-levels, 2-5cm on ground above 200m, and perhaps as much as 10-20cm above 400m,” the Met Office said.

Snow has coated the Peak District on Thursday morning (PA)

The Met Office has issued amber weather warnings for snow for parts of northern England and North Wales on Thursday.

Up to 25cm of snow is forecast across the Peak District and the southern Pennines, with a warning in force from noon until 6pm.

A separate warning for snow and ice is in place between 8am and 3pm across North Wales and Shropshire.

Flintshire council announced that all schools would be closed within the county, while another six schools in neighbouring Gwynedd were also closed.

Two amber warnings for snow and ice have been issued on Thursday (Met Office)

The Met Office said an amber warning means travel delays on roads were likely; public transport vehicles and cars could be stranded; power cuts were possible; rail and air travel delays were likely and rural communities stood a “good chance” of being cut off temporarily.

In the area covered by the snow and ice warning, the Met Office said untreated pavements and cycle paths could be impassable.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Chris Almond said: “While the early part of this week will see some rain, at times heavy, gradually sinking southwards, there’s an increased signal for wintry hazards as we move through the week as cold air from the north moves over the UK.

“It’s from Thursday that the snow risk becomes more potentially impactful, as mild air attempts to move back in from the south, bumping into the cold air and increasing the chance of snow developing on the leading edge.”

Yellow weather warnings are in place for rain, snow and ice on Friday (Met Office)

Thursday’s weather warnings extend into Friday morning as disruption from snow is expected to continue until 6am.

On Monday, a yellow weather warning remains in parts of Scotland until 9pm with a potential for 120-170 mm in the wettest areas.

The Met Office said there is a “small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded”, which may result in damage to buildings.

Disruption from snow and ice is likely to continue in northern Scotland on Saturday (Met Office)

UK five day forecast

Today:

Rain, sleet and snow pushes northwards through Thursday. Snow confined to North Wales, Northern Ireland and northern England, mainly on high ground. Snow turning to freezing rain for north Wales bringing icy stretches. Brighter spells and heavy rain further south.

Tonight:

Rain and snow continue to track northwards into Scotland overnight but intensities decrease. A widespread frost expected away from coasts in the north but more rain moves in further south.

Friday:

Wintry showers continue in the far north. Band of rain and hill snow across central areas move northwards through the day. Cloudy in the south with some showers, locally heavy.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Largely cloudy on Saturday with some rain in the south, and wintry showers further north. Drier in the east on Sunday with light winds, cloudier in the west.

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