Scotland and northern England have been blanketed in snow overnight, with weather maps suggesting that the worst is yet to come.
National Highways have issued an amber severe weather alert for snow across the North East and North West until 10am this morning as up to 15cm is due to fall, making major routes like the M62 dangerous.
New weather data from WXCharts.com suggest that the winter weather conditions show no signs of abating any time soon.
The newly released weather maps show a large purple patch across much of northern England through November 23, indicating that snow is expected in the area.
If correct, then areas as far south as Stoke could see snow this weekend, covering Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle.
Maps have turned purple in areas expected to see the most snowfall, with the snow probability map predicting a 70% chance in the north and Scotland.
It comes as many schools across the affected areas have been forced to shut as dangerous roads and freezing temperatures make travel perilous.
Last night, the Met Office issued an updated yellow weather warning and said in a statement: “A period of rain, sleet and snow will occur during Monday night and into Tuesday morning.
“The most likely scenario is for most of the snow to accumulate on hills, with 5 to 10 cm possible above 200 metres and perhaps as much as 15 to 20 cm above 300 metres. There is a chance of snow settling at lower levels, where 5 to 10 cm would prove much more disruptive – this remains uncertain, but seems most likely across parts of Derbyshire.
“As rain, sleet and snow clears from the north of the warning area by early Tuesday morning, ice may form on untreated surfaces.”
The office has warned Brits of a high likelihood of travel chaos this morning, with bad weather set to strike during rush hour.
Dan Suri, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “An area of low pressure slides its way eastwards on Monday night. The associated frontal system, marking the boundary between cold air in the north and milder conditions to the south, will bring disruptive snow to some areas between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
“This is likely to coincide with rush hour, leading to disruption to some transport routes across a central swathe of the UK on Tuesday morning. It will also be windy in the far south.”
Data released by the Met Office shows that temperatures fell as low as -8 overnight in parts of the UK whilst others were drenched in 30.4mm of rain.
Today:
Rain, sleet and snow will linger across central parts of England and Wales this morning. Gradually turning drier this afternoon with some brightness and feeling cold. Snow showers continuing in northern Scotland. Windy around coasts.
Tonight:
Wintry showers continuing in the north tonight, and around some coasts. Largely dry elsewhere with largely clear skies. Widespread frost and some icy stretches where showers fall.
Wednesday:
Another cold day with wintry showers in the north. Drier and brighter elsewhere with sunny spells. A brisk northerly wind will add an element of wind chill.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Staying cold with wintry showers in the north on Thursday and Friday, mainly in the north. Sunny spells in between and brisk winds. Wet and windy weather arriving on Saturday.
