Weather: A cold snap has arrived in the UK - is the Met Office forecasting snow this weekend?

A cold snap has arrived in the UK, bringing an increasing risk of wintry hazards such as snow and ice.

The Met Office says a colder easterly regime will become established across the country through Friday and into the weekend.

Will it snow?

Paul Gundersen, Met Office Chief Meteorologist, said: “While some areas will see showers or some patchy rain on Friday and through the weekend, there will be the potential for some sleet or snow as temperatures drop, mostly over higher ground in central and southern areas. The cold will be accentuated at times by brisk easterly winds.

“There will be variable, and at times large amounts of cloud over the coming days with the clearest and sunniest weather across the northwest of the UK. There will also be icy patches and overnight frost in places.”

Cold health alerts issued

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow cold health alerts for the North East of England, the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, and the South East - in place from 9am on February 7 until 9am on February 11.