UK braced for snow as Arctic blast will see temperatures plummet

Snow is on its way for parts of the UK, forecasters have warned, with a cold snap taking hold across the country.

Northerly winds from the Arctic will bring freezing temperatures to large parts of the UK with snow showers affecting Scotland, Northern Ireland, parts of northern England, north Wales and the east coast from Thursday.

Temperatures are expected to plummet to as low as -4C (25F) overnight on Thursday in parts of Scotland, with bitter northerly winds.

Rachel Vince, senior meteorologist with MeteoGroup, said: “The winds will turn more northerly on Thursday afternoon through Friday, bringing cold air down from the Arctic, and with that it will also be very unsettled with snow showers.

“Because it is northerly and north-westerly winds, it is largely northern and western Scotland that will get the snow showers but some will get into Northern Ireland, north-west England and north Wales as well.

“It will turn milder at the weekend, so I would not expect it to last very much beyond Saturday, Sunday.”