After weeks of asking ourselves when it’s going to stop raining, we might soon be wondering when the snow will stop falling instead.
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across the northern half of England and almost all of Scotland.
Forecasters say some areas could see up to 10cm of snow settle, amid warnings of icy patches disrupting travel and endangering drivers.
Where is snow expected?
A yellow weather warning, active until 12pm today, says rain, sleet and snow will hit northern England and the north Midlands.
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This includes parts of Manchester as well as Sheffield, Leeds, York, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Carlile.
People have been warned to watch out for icy patches on roads (remember, just waddle like a penguin if you need to cross them).
As much as the snow-covered streets and rooftops are pretty, forecasters warn that roads and railways becoming ice rinks will lead to disruption.
Scotland also has a snow and ice alert in place until 12pm, with only the outer eastern isles not being under the blanket alert.
The higher plains will see up to 10cm of snow, but most Scots will be waking up this morning to about 2cm of the white stuff.
They also woke up to sufficiently cold temperatures, with -7°C recorded in Highlands.
Forecasters add: ‘Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy. Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls.’
In response to the Arctic blast, the UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow health alerts across northern England and the Midlands.
The yellow alerts, a level one out of three, warn that the chilly temperatures are a risk to life for older people and those with existing health conditions.
They warn that the weather is likely to have ‘minor impacts on health and social care services’ as well until Monday, when the alerts are lifted.
Will it snow in London or southern England?
After a fairly balmy Wednesday, with thermometers clocking 12°C in London, temperatures should fall on Thursday night.
Londoners could wake up to a chilly 4°C on Friday morning, and a teeth-chattering 1°C on Saturday.
However, there is only a very slim chance of snow in the capital or southern England. Until this evening, it’ll just be more rain than anything.
Tom Morgan, a weather forecaster at the Met Office, said: ‘Unfortunately for people that like snow it’s going to be mainly rainy.’
He added: ‘It’s one to keep an eye on but the best case or worst case scenario – depending on your perspective – is a slushy centimetre.’
Instead, a big band of wet weather will gather in the Atlantic on Saturday before engulfing the UK on Sunday, raising fears of flooding.
However, Tom did share a bit of news that might offer a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak forecast.
‘Londoners are getting pretty sick of the unrelenting rain but there is a sunny day on Sunday, so make the most of it.’
Yes, you read that right. ‘Sun’. Remember that?
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