The Met Office has identified seven areas in Scotland that could experience snowfall this Sunday, with precipitation rates reaching up to 4mm per hour in some locations.
The precipitation map, which tracks snowfall, hail and rainfall intensity across the country up to five days ahead, highlights parts of Highland, Moray, Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross, Angus, Stirling and Argyll and Bute. The grey-shaded sections on the map indicate areas of concern, although the precise type of precipitation may vary with local conditions.
Forecast for the weekend
The Met Office's outlook for Friday to Sunday currently reads: "On Friday, long sunny spells in the south and east but showers in the northwest. Increasingly cloudy through the weekend, with showers and rain spreading from the west."
This comes as the national meteorological service provided a polar vortex update on Wednesday. It wrote in a blog post shared to its website: "After a foggy start to November, the UK’s weather is beginning to change.
"The widespread low cloud, mist and dense fog of recent days will gradually give way to clearer skies, colder Arctic air and an increasing risk of frost and ice. But despite recent changes high above the North Pole, this colder spell is not being caused by the polar vortex."
Colder air and frost risk
It added that colder and clearer conditions are making their way to the UK. "Although high pressure remains influential, its position is changing. As it builds to the west and northwest of the UK, winds will increasingly arrive from the north, drawing in colder Arctic maritime air.
"This colder air is also drier than the relatively mild and moist air responsible for the recent fog. As a result, widespread dense fog becomes less likely, although some mist or isolated fog patches remain possible. Skies will often be clearer, allowing temperatures to fall more quickly overnight.
"Frost will therefore become a more widespread feature, with a risk of icy surfaces where showers occur. Wintry showers are possible around northern and eastern coasts, while some snow may fall over the higher ground of Scotland."
Cold-health alert issued
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued the first cold-health alert of the winter season. A yellow cold-health alert has been issued for the North West and West Midlands regions, running from 9am on Thursday November 12 until 12pm on Saturday November 14.
The seven areas with potential snow on Sunday are Highland, Moray, Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross, Angus, Argyll and Bute, and Stirling.
