A fresh wave of snow and ice is set to hit large swathes of Scotland and northern England on Sunday, prompting weather warnings from the Met Office.
The national weather service has issued a yellow weather warning covering much of the northern regions, which will come into effect at 2am and remain in place until 3pm. The affected areas include large parts of Scotland, the East and West Midlands, the north-east and north-west of England, as well as Yorkshire.
Forecasters are warning that the wintry conditions could lead to travel disruptions, with the potential for icy patches on roads and pavements. There is also a risk of snow accumulations, particularly in higher areas, which could reach several centimetres in depth.
The Met Office has urged residents in the affected regions to be cautious when travelling and to prepare for the possibility of difficult driving conditions. Motorists are advised to allow extra time for their journeys and to check the latest weather updates before setting out.
In addition to the travel impacts, the cold weather may also pose a risk to vulnerable members of the community, such as the elderly and those with health conditions. The public is being encouraged to check on neighbours and loved ones to ensure they are coping with the adverse weather.
The Met Office’s chief meteorologist, Paul Gundersen, said: “A band of rain, sleet and snow is expected to move south-eastwards across the UK on Sunday. This will bring some snow accumulations, particularly over higher ground in northern England and Scotland.”
He continued: “Icy conditions are also likely to develop, especially on untreated surfaces. This could lead to some travel disruption, so it’s important to plan ahead and take care if you’re out and about.”
The wintry weather is expected to be short-lived, with milder temperatures and drier conditions forecast for the start of the new week.