Snow is set to blanket parts of the UK over the next three days, as a blast of Arctic air drives temperatures sharply down — just days after much of the country basked in unseasonal highs of 19°C.

A Met Office weather map has revealed where snow is most likely to fall, with the Scottish Highlands, Peak District, North Pennines, and parts of northern England all in the firing line for wintry conditions.

The sharp change in weather comes alongside a yellow weather warning for ice, issued for large parts of northern England on Thursday morning, as temperatures are set to plunge close to or below zero.

Where and When Snow Will Hit

• Tonight (Wednesday): Snow is expected to fall across the Scottish Highlands, with flurries continuing well into the night.
• Thursday Morning: Peak District and North Pennines between Carlisle and Newcastle will see light to moderate snowfall.
• Thursday Afternoon: The heaviest snowfall is forecast for the Highlands north of Pitlochry, with up to 4mm of snow per hour expected from 2pm.
• Friday: Continued snowfall is expected across the Peak District, North Pennines, and Highlands, particularly around 3pm, again reaching more than 4mm per hour in some areas.

Yellow Weather Warning for Ice

The Met Office warning covers parts of the East Midlands, North East, North West, and Yorkshire & Humber, including:

• Derbyshire
• Durham
• Northumberland
• Cumbria
• Greater Manchester
• North and West Yorkshire

The warning is in place from 3am to 9am on Thursday, with forecasters warning of “probably some icy patches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths”, increasing the risk of slips, falls, and traffic collisions.

Public Safety Advice

The Met Office has urged residents to take precautions during the icy spell:

• Leave the house five minutes earlier to reduce the need to rush.
• Stick to main roads and pavements, which are more likely to be gritted.
• Cyclists and pedestrians should avoid untreated side roads and footpaths.
• Check road conditions or public transport updates before heading out.

Snow Hits Cheltenham Festival

Wednesday’s Cheltenham Festival also saw a dusting of snow, as horses galloped through the flurries under grey skies. Queen Camilla, Princess Beatrice, and Zara Tindall were all in attendance as racegoers braved the cold.

Weekend Outlook

While Thursday and Friday will continue to bring wintry showers and frosty mornings, the Met Office says showers will begin to ease by Saturday, with clearer skies and cold nights expected over the weekend. However, overnight frosts are still likely, with temperatures dropping to as low as -1°C in some areas.

As the Arctic chill takes hold, keep an eye on local weather updates and prepare accordingly for frosty commutes, slippery paths, and a wintry start to the weekend.

For the latest updates, visit Met Office.