UK snow forecast: Huge swathe of nation to be hit by -8C Arctic freeze and roads chaos

Brits are set for widespread snow with more than 20 centimetres falling and weather warnings are in place with remote areas facing the possibility of being cut off.

Temperatures could drop to -8C in Scotland, according to maps from WXCharts, while the whole country faces sub zero temperatures in an Arctic blast that is expected to continue for the rest of the week.

In areas of Scotland there has been a build up already of 30 centimetres, and the Met Office has issued yellow warnings for snow and ice for Wednesday morning.

For northern Scotland there is a warning for snow and ice that runs until 9am stating: “Snow and hail showers, heavy at times, bringing further accumulations, icy conditions and disruption to transport.”

People have been told to expect travel disruption and the possibility of “stranding some vehicles and passengers”. It also says that there is the chance that rural communities could be cut off, while there could be power cuts and mobile phone coverage maybe affected.

The west of the UK is going to be worst affected by the snow and ice with warnings in place for Northern Ireland, Wales and western England that run until midday on Wednesday.

Similarly they are advising of disruption and that there is the likelihood of transport being impacted.

There is also a yellow warning for ice that covers the south east which is in place until 10am.

“The cold weather is here to stay for a bit longer yet but the amount of snow we have seen has varied a lot from place to place,” said BBC forecaster Chris Fawkes. “Some places have been reporting over 30 centimetres of lying snow. That is where the majority of the disruption has been but I suspect the disruptive potential is growing.

“These shower clouds many of them with snow mixed in are starting to become more widespread and are moving across more areas of the western side of the UK.”

Mr Fawkes continued: “We are going to see accumulations of snow building up five to 15 centimetres for these areas over modest hills but at times the snow will come all the way down to sea level.”

Adding the danger for travel he said: “On to Wednesday morning there will be widespread ice, again bringing, very, very dangerous conditions out on the roads.”

UK 5 day weather forecast

Today:

Cold or very cold for all, with further showers of rain, sleet, hail or snow, these mainly for areas exposed to the brisk northerly winds. Many inland areas are likely to be fine and sunny.

Tonight:

Wintry showers continuing around coasts of the north and east, bringing some snow and ice. Elsewhere, largely clear, with widespread frost.

Thursday:

Wintry showers gradually becoming confined to the far northeast; some more prolonged showers here later. Many other areas fine, dry and still cold.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday:

Wintry showers Thursday, for northeast and possibly far southwest; mostly sunny elsewhere. Thereafter, staying cold but dry across central and southeastern areas with widespread frosts. Turning milder from the west.