An amber weather warning has been issued for Thursday as parts of the UK are set to see as much as 25cm of snowfall this week as temperatures plunge in the first cold snap of the winter.
The Met Office has warned that this week will be “markedly colder” than it was last week, with “harsh frost” and snow expected on some days.
It comes after snow fell across parts of Scotland on Wednesday, as wintry weather grips the northern half of the UK.
Areas including London, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Essex, Shropshire and Northumberland saw snow, with Met Office weather stations in Lake Vyrnwy in Powys, Wales, recording 7cm of lying snow at 8am.
Parts of Yorkshire including York and Scarborough are now subject to an amber weather warning from 5am to 9pm on Thursday, with travel delays and power cuts likely.
The forecaster has also issued multiple yellow weather warnings for snow and ice affecting much of the UK on Thursday, with sub-zero temperatures expected.
Seven are in place on Thursday, covering Northern Ireland, parts of Wales, northern and southwest parts of England and much of Scotland.
The more severe amber warning is due to come into force at 3am in the North York Moors and parts of the Yorkshire Wolds, where as much as 15-25cm (6-10ins) of snow could fall on higher ground.
Forecasters have warned of potential snowfall in Wales, Yorkshire, and norther Scotland towards the end of the week.
It comes as yellow and amber health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency for cold weather came into place on Monday.
The amber warning is in place for the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber, while a yellow alert is in place for the rest of England until 8am on Saturday.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong said: “Cold Arctic air from the north is firmly in charge of the UK’s weather, bringing the first notable cold snap of this autumn and giving an early taste of winter weather.
“As a result, winter hazards are likely through the next few days, with snow and ice a particular hazard, and the coldest conditions likely on Wednesday and Thursday. Wintry showers will affect areas exposed to the brisk northerly wind, in particular Northern Ireland, southwest Wales, southwest England, northeast England and across the northern half of Scotland.
“Whilst not all places will see lying snow, where showers are most frequent accumulations of 2-5 cm will be possible. On higher ground in Scotland, 15-20 cm could accumulate, and potentially as much as 15-25 cm over the North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds.”
Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree explained: “Wednesday to Friday will be the coldest part of the week, and this period has the greatest potential for impactful weather, with multiple warnings in place.
“Overnight, temperatures could get down to minus ten, with a significant wind chill from the strong northerly wind making things feel even colder.
“I’m not sure how much wintry stuff we’re going to see across the southern areas, mostly just falling as rain.”
He added: “Northern parts of Scotland seeing plenty, and also down the eastern side of England and eastern Scotland as well – plenty of these rain, sleet and snow showers.”
Wintry snow showers are expected to extend south into Thursday, mainly affecting north facing coastal areas.
Mr Crabtree said: “With sub-zero temperatures in the first ‘cold snap’ of the year, updates to the current warnings are possible, so its important people keep up to date with the forecast.”
