The Met Office has named 10 areas that could see snow on Wednesday as the first snowfall of the winter potentially breaks across parts of the UK. Wintry showers are expected across northern Scotland and the Northern Isles, with snow possibly falling briefly on lower ground, particularly in Shetland, overnight on Wednesday and into Thursday.
Forecasters said any settling snow is likely to be confined to higher ground. Rain is expected to continue across parts of southern England and Wales, while strong winds are also forecast in the far northeast.
Wednesday's forecast
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."
He added: "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 are expected to reach between 1C and 5C in Scotland at 9am on Wednesday, while the highest temperature, 11C, is predicted in Plymouth.
Week ahead
The wintry weather will follow a largely settled start to the week. Monday brought a chilly and foggy start, 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. Elsewhere, conditions should remain largely dry with sunny spells, although fog and low cloud may be slow to clear.
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."
Areas with potential snow
The full list of areas with potential snow includes Caithness, Sutherland, Ross-shire, Cromartyshire, Inverness-shire, Nairnshire, Moray, Banffshire, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands.
The forecast comes just days after Met Office 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.
