A number of severe weather warnings remain in place, with cold air leading to the potential for further snow accumulations in Scotland, and a widespread risk of ice across much of the UK.
Amber warnings are in place for snow in northern Scotland until 19:00. A yellow warning for snow and ice then follows for the whole of Wednesday.
New yellow warnings for ice have been issued for Northern Ireland, Scotland, and much of England and Wales for overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Jason Kelly said: “A further spell of snow is expected to move east across central and northern Scotland today. Amber warnings are in place until 7pm this evening.
“Elsewhere, snow showers will be mixed with rain and sleet and it will be another very cold day, with strengthening winds too.
“Overnight, cold air pushes back in with temperatures widely dipping below freezing again. This means there is the risk of further ice overnight and a new yellow weather warnings for ice covers the majority of the UK until Wednesday morning.”
Wednesday will be dry for many with sunny spells. Scotland and some western areas may still see some scattered wintry showers and a yellow warning for snow and ice will remain in northern Scotland.
Things will continue to feel very cold, although a touch milder than recent days, with strong winds and coastal gales developing in some central and eastern areas of northern Britain.
A deepening area of low pressure is expected to move across the south of the UK later on Thursday, resulting in wet and windy weather arriving from the west as well as snow on the northern edge of the system.
A yellow warning for snow for parts of England and Wales has been issued. Snow accumulations of 5-10cm are possible, with as much as 20cm possible over higher ground in Wales. Warnings are likely to be updated as the detail becomes more certain.
Wind will also be a hazard, with a yellow warning for wind issued for the southwest of the UK where gusts of 50-60mph, possibly 70mph around exposed coasts, are possible on Thursday evening.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Chris Bulmer said: “A deepening area of low pressure – named Storm Goretti by Meteo France – will move across the south of the UK during Thursday and into Friday. It will clash with the very cold air here, meaning Thursday night could be what we call a ‘multi-hazard’ event, with snow on the northern flank of the low, wind and rain on the southern flank.
“We have therefore issued a yellow warning for snow for parts of England and Wales, where heavy snow could lead to disruption and difficult travelling conditions. Strong winds associated with Storm Goretti may also lead to some disruption, and so in addition a yellow wind warning has been issued for southwest England.
“The exact track of the low is still uncertain, and these warnings are likely to be amended – and potentially escalated – over the coming days. It is therefore vital people keep up-to-date with the latest forecasts.”
Temperatures look to stay well-below average into the weekend, with wintry showers and ice still a hazard in places. Saturday will be mostly dry with clear and sunny spells and some wintry showers around coasts in the north.
Further unsettled weather is expected to move in on Sunday as an area of low pressure to the northwest of the UK brings rain – which may be heavy at times – from the west during the day, with this potentially turning to snow, with strong winds also a possibility. With this system, milder air will move in from the west, bringing an end to the current cold spell.
