The forecast added: “Rain in the far south clearing. Colder and clearer conditions following for all with wintry showers persisting around northern coasts. Frost, fog and icy patches likely developing.”
The majority of the first week of 2025 is likely to be dominated by poor weather, with warnings in place across the country until January 6 at the very least.
The Scottish Highlands has been given a yellow warning for snow and ice, in place from the early hours of this morning until 10am tomorrow.
The Met Office warns: “Snow showers are likely on Wednesday, continuing overnight and through to Thursday morning. 1-3cm snowfall is likely at low levels with 5-10cm above 300m, leading to difficult driving conditions and some travel disruption.
“Sleet is more likely along windward coasts at times, leading to ice formation on untreated surfaces overnight.”
There is an additional yellow warning for ice across the remainder of Scotland, extending into northern England, the Midlands and Northern Ireland.
The Met Office predicts: “A band of rain, sleet and hill snow will clear southwards during Wednesday afternoon and evening.
“As skies clear in its wake, and with standing water following earlier rain in places, ice is likely to form quite quickly on untreated surfaces, leading to difficult travel conditions. Wintry showers are also likely along some north-facing coasts overnight, increasing the chance of ice in places.”
Paul Gundersen, a Chief Forecaster for Met Office, said “Overnight we have a series of National Severe Weather Warnings in place with a combined yellow warning for both snow and ice for northern Scotland, while a yellow ice warning is in place as far south as the Midlands. Standing water remaining from the heavy rainfall of the last few days will freeze, creating a risk for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians navigating untreated surfaces.
Temperatures are expected to be warmer in the south of England, negating the risk of snow and ice but the region looks set to experience strong winds, with an additional yellow weather warning in place for much of New Years’ Day which the Met Office says could lead to “some disruption”.
The agency has also issued a yellow warning across much of the UK for heavy snow, in place from midday on Saturday.
