You'd forgotten it was winter, hadn't you
A cold snap is bringing this unusually mild December to a close, reminding us all it is in fact winter. Dangerous conditions are forecast for today and tomorrow.
Met Office forecasters have issued weather warnings for much of the UK, predicting the cold temperature will be accompanied by spells of rain, sleet and snow.
Up to six inches of snow is forecast for the Peak District, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Midlands, parts of Wales and later the South West today.
Temperatures will be lowest in western Scotland, the Met Office warning that mercury could "tumble towards freezing, perhaps getting as low as -10C in western Scotland where there is a covering of snow."
Today's forecast
Many parts dry inland with sunny spells but feeling cold. Wintry showers affecting most coasts, whilst early band of rain, sleet and snow moves south across England and Wales and decays.
Tonight's forecast
Wintry showers affecting in north and west with further snow in far north. Most inland areas dry with clear spells and a widespread frost. Ice and freezing fog patches likely.
Tomorrow's forecast
Cold with sunny spells with scattered showers around coasts in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Rain, sleet and snow moving eastwards across southern UK with risk of snow to low levels.
Thursday's forecast
Area of rain, sleet and snow clearing from the southeast on Thursday. Further wintry showers feeding inland from northern and eastern coasts with overnight frost and patchy ice. Remaining cold.
https://twitter.com/bbcweather/status/1343625318620389378
A Met office forecaster said: "Northerly winds will bring further showers of rain, sleet and snow across the north of Northern Ireland as well as northern and western Scotland. Snow accumulations will be generally confined to ground above 100m away from coasts, but some temporary slushy deposits are possible to low levels at times in any heavier showers. 1-3cm is likely to accumulate above 100m, and as much as 5-10cm above 250m, this mostly across high ground of Scotland.
"Ice will form readily as temperatures quickly fall away rapidly through both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings."
Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice were issued across nearly all of the UK this morning and into tomorrow, with snow and ice in the South and London to last into Thursday.
Most areas will see only small amounts of snow or none at all.
What does a yellow weather warning mean?
Yellow means "be aware". Severe weather is possible over the next few days and could affect you.
Plan ahead and think about possible travel delays or the disruption of your day to day activities.
Keep an eye on the latest forecast and be aware that the weather may change or worsen, leading to disruption of your plans in the next few days.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiTloaSMmdI&ab_channel=MetOffice-Weather
Public Health England's Dr Emer O’Connell said: “Experience shows us that every winter thousands of people are seriously affected and even die from illnesses linked to the cold.
"Protecting yourself from the cold may seem like common sense but many people do not manage to keep themselves warm
“If you know someone at risk, someone over 65, anyone with dementia or a heart and lung condition, or a young child, check up on them and see if there’s anything you can do to help.
"All of us should be heating our homes to at least 18C, keeping up to date with weather forecasts and planning our days around them - simple steps can really help protect against the cold.”
