British Gas has advised UK households to prepare an emergency kit containing six essential items ahead of potential snowfall this winter. The guidance comes as the Met Office indicated in its latest forecast that parts of the country could see a "sprinkling of snow" this weekend.
Met Office Forecasts Possible Snow
The forecast stated: "Showers will move through widely during the day, with northern parts of the UK likely to see the most frequent and intense downpours. Scotland will be particularly prone to heavy showers, with a risk of hail and thunder."
"There could even be a temporary sprinkling of snow over the highest ground, adding a wintry flavour to the autumn weather."
Six Items for the Emergency Kit
In anticipation of possible snowfall, British Gas has urged households to stock up on sleeping bags, blankets, warm coats, three days' worth of food, medicines, and drinking water, reports the Manchester Evening News.
"While it's unlikely that a heavy snowfall will leave you without any heating, it's always worth keeping sleeping bags, blankets and warm coats handy", a spokesperson from British Gas said.
The energy supplier also encouraged people to put together an emergency kit, stating: "It's a good habit to have at least three days' worth of food and essentials stored in an easy-to-reach part of your home."
"That's things like medicines, drinking water, non-perishable food and snacks, and extra blankets. You should also keep a torch, batteries and a phone charger close by too."
Temperature Drop and Autumnal Variability
Temperatures are forecast to plunge as low as 6C over the coming week, the Met Office said, with possible "frost" also expected.
Over the next few days, the UK is set to experience a "smorgasbord" of weather conditions, according to the Met Office, ranging from "relatively balmy" to "relatively cool". However, the weather agency has emphasised that this is entirely to be expected during the autumn months.
"The next few days will bring a smorgasbord of weather types, with swings from relatively balmy conditions to relatively cool," a Met Office spokesperson said. They continued: "All typical of the variability we can expect with autumnal weather."
The long-range forecast for the UK, covering the period between October 14 and 23, suggests that conditions could be "potentially quite warm" in parts of the country.
"Remaining changeable through this period, as a series of low pressure systems run across the North Atlantic, often to the north and northwest of the UK, bringing occasional bands of rain and strong winds, but interspersed with brighter and more showery conditions," the Met Office long-range forecast reads.
It continues: "Rain will be most prevalent across hills in the west and especially northwest, where above average rainfall is likely through this period. Longer drier interludes are more favoured in sheltered southern and eastern parts, but even here it is likely to be wetter than during recent weeks."
"Whilst brief cooler interludes are possible, temperatures are likely to be a little above average in many areas for the period as a whole, and potentially quite warm in parts of the southeast at times."
