UK weather: When snow is forecast this weekend and areas affected

Wintry weather is set to hit northern parts of Scotland and higher ground this weekend, say forecasters (Photo: Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty)

The first snow of the season is on its way with a cold snap bringing icy weather conditions to parts of the UK this weekend.

The Met Office has forecast showers and frost, with temperatures plummeting from Friday until Saturday as an icy Arctic blast of air sweeps in.

Temperatures could reach as low as -4°C in Wales, -5°C in Scotland and -3°C in the South West coast on Saturday night, meaning it could be the UK’s coldest night of the year.

And the long range forecast predicts more snow will be on the way for the UK as November draws to a close.

We take a look at what is happening weather-wise this weekend and when to expect snow.

When and where will it snow this weekend?

The Met Office has said sleet and snow may fall in the north of Scotland and on peaks above 400 metres (1,312ft) high over the weekend.

In a forecast for the UK on Friday, it said there would be “showers, some wintry, continue in the north and east” and it would be “feeling colder for all”.

Friday night could see temperatures drop to -4C in parts of Scotland as the cold front brings a dramatic change to weather conditions including wintry showers.

There is expected to be widespread frost overnight with Saturday remaining very cold.

Met Office forecasters warned of a “cold frosty start” to the weekend with “isolated showers along eastern coasts” and “a cold-feeling day”.

Sunday is expected to feel slightly warmer, with more chance of rain than sleet or snow. However, this is likely to change as the week progresses.

What is happening in the week ahead?

Although there will be a slight rise in temperatures on Sunday, the long-range forecast from the Met Office from Tuesday 28 November to Thursday 7 December promises the possibility of more cold conditions and snow.

“Colder than average conditions are most likely overall, as chances of some wintry showers, or even more general snow towards the turn of the month, are increasing”, it said.

“Cloud and rain is likely to be clearing southeastern England early on, followed by a period of widely colder, drier and brighter weather and the return of overnight frosts.”

Scattered showers in coastal areas of northern and eastern Scotland are expected to bring about “an overnight ice risk” that could turn “increasingly wintry over hills in the north”.

And it warned that there was “an increasing chance of areas of cloud, rain and/or snow, perhaps with strong winds too, spreading north across at least southern areas from later next week”.

But whether this means we can expect a white Christmas this year remains to be seen.