UK: Snow and freezing rain likely to disrupt parts of the country

Heavy snow and freezing rain are expected to hit parts of the UK this weekend, with the Met Office warning there could be considerable disruption in some areas.

Amber warnings are in place for northern England, the Midlands and much of Wales from Saturday evening and throughout Sunday. Less severe yellow warnings cover other areas, including Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Temperatures fell as low as -8.6C overnight in rural Scotland, with the bitter conditions created by an Arctic wind are expected to continue into next week.

The wintry conditions could result in power cuts, widespread travel disruption and some rural communities being cut off in the coming days, the Met Office warned.

Amber warnings are more serious than yellow warnings and indicate a possible risk to life due to severe weather, as well as more significant travel disruption.

Much of England and Wales is covered by a separate yellow warning for snow and freezing rain into Sunday, though there is uncertainty over how disruptive the adverse weather could be, with milder temperatures forecast.

Most of Northern Ireland, as well as an swathe of northern Scotland, are also covered by yellow warnings for snow and ice.

On Sunday, fresh yellow weather warnings will come into force in some areas.Heavy rain and thawing snow could lead to flooding in some parts of north-west England and Wales, while localised snow and ice warnings cover parts of Scotland.

BBC Weather forecasts that 20-40cm (7.8-15.7in) of snow could fall across northern England and southern Scotland from late Saturday into Monday.

Wales and northern and central England are expected to see the most sustained period of snow and freezing rain, with 3-7cm of snow likely and around 15-30cm on higher ground.

Later on Sunday, temperatures are expected to be milder in parts of the country, reaching 13C in London in contrast to Aberdeen where it could be just 2C.

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