The Met Office has forecast snow across parts of Scotland this weekend, with up to 4mm per hour expected in some areas on Sunday as temperatures plunge to -6C. The wintry showers are part of a cold snap affecting northern Britain.
Cold snap brings freezing temperatures
Temperatures are set to drop sharply from the 13.6C recorded on the Isles of Scilly and the 12.5C noted in Cromer, Norfolk on Wednesday. A northern wind will make it feel even chillier at times, with temperatures hovering at or below freezing across most of the country.
The Met Office outlook for Saturday to Monday states: "Saturday starts cold and frosty with sunshine for many, though cloudier in the north and west. Sunday and Monday bring more unsettled conditions, with rain and hill snow possible."
Areas affected by snow
Weather maps suggest the areas worst affected by the snow are likely to include the Scottish Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire. The forecast for Thursday night reads: "A noticeably chillier day under northerly winds, breezier towards coasts. Wintery showers continue to feed into the far north, but elsewhere it will remain largely dry with plenty of sunshine."
The areas likely to see snow on Sunday are Caithness, Sutherland, Cromartyshire, Ross-shire, Inverness-shire, Nairnshire, Morayshire, Banffshire, Aberdeenshire, and Argyllshire.
Health alert issued
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow cold health alert for the North West and West Midlands, effective from 9am on Thursday through to noon on Saturday. The alert warns of a greater "risk to life" for vulnerable people amid the cold spell.
Health leaders said low temperatures can result in a spike in use of health and care services as they urged people to check on loved ones and neighbours. Colder weather can also lead to increased risk for over-65s and people with certain health issues including heart and lung problems.
