The Met Office has named 10 areas that could see snow this Wednesday as the first snowfall of winter potentially breaks across parts of the UK. Wintry showers are expected across northern Scotland and the Northern Isles, with snow possibly falling on lower ground, particularly in Shetland, overnight on Wednesday and into Thursday.
Snow and wind forecast for Wednesday
Forecasters said any settling snow is likely to be confined to higher ground, while rain is expected to continue across parts of southern England and Wales. Strong winds are also forecast in the far northeast.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said: "Snow showers could briefly fall on lower ground in the far northeast of Scotland, mainly Shetland, overnight on Wednesday and into Thursday.
"However, snow may only settle on higher ground. Snow can fall in the far northeast from late October to May, so this is not unusual for the time of year."
Temperatures and early week conditions
Temperatures are expected to reach between 1C and 5C in Scotland at 9am on Wednesday, while the highest temperature (11C) is predicted in Plymouth.
The wintry weather will follow a largely settled start to the week. The country saw a chilly and foggy start on Monday, with many waking up to temperatures as low as 3C in the south of England and -3C in parts of Wales.
Overnight into Tuesday, fog is forecast across parts of central and northern England and Wales, while rain spreads across southern areas, reaching southeast England and southern Wales. Frost is expected to develop further north, becoming most widespread in rural Scotland.
Outlook for Thursday and Friday
The Met Office added: "Through Thursday and Friday, colder air will spread further south across the UK. Most places will become dry with some clear or sunny spells, although showers remain possible in the north and parts of the east, some of these wintry over high ground in Scotland. Temperatures are expected to fall below average widely by Thursday and particularly Friday, as frost becomes more widespread. The far northeast will also feel particularly cold in stronger winds."
It comes just days after the Met Office's weather experts cautioned that the Polar Vortex could be disrupted in a matter of weeks, sending a blast of icy cold air to the UK and bringing with it the risks of ice, fog, frost and snow as conditions turn colder.
Full list of areas with potential snow
- Caithness
- Sutherland
- Ross-shire
- Cromartyshire
- Inverness-shire
- Nairnshire
- Moray
- Banffshire
- Orkney Islands
- Shetland Islands
Elsewhere, conditions should remain largely dry with sunny spells, although fog and low cloud may be slow to clear.
