Snow storms will descend on the UK over the next few days, weather forecast maps have predicted, as temperatures descend to wintry lows in time for the New Year.

A chaotic week seems set to unfold, with unpleasant conditions quickly moving to replace Storm Gerrit including rain and severe wind. Winter overview maps have shown that, despite the mild Christmas, Britons should brace for a rapid drop in the mercury that could see lows hit -4C and below in a matter of hours.

The coldest areas could also see a significant helping of snow, with showers seemingly set to strafe the country from Scotland into northern England, travelling hundreds of miles.

Several inches will pile up in some areas, as weather forecasters predict the weekend has more severe weather akin to Gerrit in store.

The latest maps from WXCharts, a weather mapping service that uses data from MetDesk, show the deluge of rain currently pelting the UK, with precipitation at its most severe over northeast Scotland.

Snowfall has also confined itself to the home nation at present, with showers on the west coast creating up to 8cm of settled snow over high ground.

The maps show the showers will move south throughout the country, reaching just south of the border by 12pm on Saturday, December 30.

The southern snow will reach the Lake District National Park and potentially as far south as Lancaster. Snow will reach lower accumulations south of Scotland, around 1cm to 2cm, but additional showers further north are set to reach between 10cm and 13cm.

The conditions may feel stormy for some, as wind gusts could reach 38mph throughout the country by 9pm on Saturday.

The Met Office has warned that the day will start “chilly” before turning mild and winds start “strengthening” alongside “heavy and squally rain” in the evening.

The agency has warned people to expect “scattered blustery showers” on Sunday, December 31, before the system’s severity diminishes.

The Met Office adds that the worst of the conditions will abate by Tuesday, January 2, and WXCharts maps suggest that rain will largely steer clear of much of the UK over the rest of the week.

Much of the snow will still remain, however, as temperatures stick in the low single figures – between 0C and 4C.