Snow is set to come down in the UK on Sunday and throughout next week (Picture: PA / Met Office)
The Met Office has warned that heavy snowfall could sweep across more areas of the UK in the coming days.
Snow and ice weather warnings are in force in northern Scotland throughout the whole of Sunday, with the white stuff expected to come down in heaps.
But the sub-zero Arctic blast crippling Britain with lows of -5°C will spread further south and inland throughout next week, forecasters say.
What has been dubbed the ‘freeze of the century’ is threatening to cause travel disruption and a danger of possible injuries.
The national weather agency’s yellow alert will remain in place for parts of Scotland until 11.59pm on Sunday.
Meanwhile, a similar warning for Northern Ireland is also in place all day on Monday.
‘Whilst accumulation amounts will vary, parts of northern Scotland could see around 10cms of snow over the two days,’ the Met Office said.
‘Strong winds could result in drifting of lying snow in places. Where showers become more organised, there is a chance some low-lying areas could see up to 10cm in a few hours.
‘As increasingly cold air spreads south, showers will fall as snow to all levels during the day.
‘Up to 5 cm of snow is likely over higher routes with a few cms also expected at lower levels.’
By the start of next week, the snow storm is likely to hit northern England, according to the Met Office’s weather maps.
Met Office maps for Tuesday show snow is set to fall in Manchester, as well as across much of Scotland (Picture: Met Office)
The forecast shows that Manchester and other areas of Lancashire and Yorkshire will see snow on Tuesday, while even southern areas could be affected on Wednesday.
‘Through the middle of next week, with cold air firmly in place over the UK, the chance of snow increases across many areas for a time,’ the Met Office said.
‘There’s still plenty of detail to work out but on Tuesday there is the potential for areas of snow to move inland over parts of Northern Ireland, southern Scotland and/or northern England.
‘Whilst on Wednesday, there is a risk of snowfall across southern parts of the UK.’
The Met Office said ‘there is a risk of snowfall across southern parts of the UK’ on Wednesday (Picture: PA)
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Chris Bulmer said: ‘Snow showers from Sunday onwards are most likely to move inland from coasts exposed to northerly winds.
‘The focus of snow showers will be over northern Scotland, but parts of the North Sea and Irish Sea coasts may also see some snow at times.
‘There are a couple of weather systems for Tuesday and Wednesday which we are keeping an eye on that bring the potential for disruptive snow for some regions.
‘With cold air firmly in place, any weather systems that move across the country next week will bringing mainly snowfall inland.
‘Models are currently showing us a variety of options for both systems and we’ll be able to add more details to in the coming days.’
The UK Health Security Agency also has a cold health alert in force, which highlights the possibility of significant impacts for the health and social care sector.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: ‘The temperatures we will see leading into the weekend can rapidly have a serious impact on the health of those over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions as it increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.
‘It is therefore vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the cold weather next week.’
Travellers on the roads and rails have also been warned to take care when going from A to B.
Amy Fellows, national network manager at National Highways said: ‘Freezing conditions bring so many hazards such as snow and ice, so take every possible step to understand your journey in advance and allow lots of extra time when travelling to prepare for the unexpected.
‘National Highways also reminds motorists to keep TRIP in mind ahead of journeys – Top-up: oil, water, screen wash; Rest: rest every two hours; Inspect: Inspect tyres and lights and Prepare: check your route and the weather forecast.’