Drivers in 13 areas of the UK, mainly in northern Scotland, are being urged to pack 12 essential items before travelling on Sunday (November 15) as snow and freezing conditions are forecast. The RAC has advised motorists to prepare a "car winter kit" ahead of the wintry weather.
Snow expected across northern Scotland
The Met Office weather maps show several northern regions turning white on Sunday, with the worst-affected areas likely to be in northern Scotland, where up to 4mm of snow per hour is possible. Snow is most likely above a few hundred metres, although temporary accumulations could occur as low as 200-300 metres, with around 2-5cm possible above 400 metres.
In a blog titled 'Will it snow this week?', the Met Office wrote: "Cold air has moved south across the UK, with a brisk northerly wind making it feel particularly chilly. Northern Scotland has the greatest chance of seeing snow, with wintry showers affecting northern and eastern Scotland and the Northern Isles."
The 12 items for your car winter kit
Following RAC advice, the Met Office shared the following list of items drivers are urged to keep in their cars:
- Ice scraper and de-icer
- In-car phone charger
- Warm clothes and blankets
- High-visibility clothing
- Jump leads
- Empty fuel can
- Food and drinks
- Shovel
- Warning triangles
- Sunglasses
Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said drivers can expect to scrape their cars in the morning as the first cold snap of the season takes hold. He said: "The UK is heading towards what will feel like the first cold spell in late autumn, with temperatures likely to drop down towards minus 6C overnight for some in the coming days and a fairly harsh frost likely for some."
Areas likely to be hit by snow on Sunday
The 13 areas likely to see snow on Sunday are: Stornoway, Caithness, Sutherland, Cromartyshire, Ross-shire, Inverness-shire, Nairn-shire, Morayshire, Banffshire, Aberdeenshire, Argyllshire, Perthshire, and Orkney.
Snow will principally affect higher ground rather than bringing widespread disruption at lower levels, with the risk continuing across parts of northern Scotland through the weekend. There is also the potential for thunderstorms and small hail across the Northern Isles and exposed parts of northern and northeastern Scotland on Sunday morning.
