UK weather forecast: Arctic blast set to bring frost, snow and falling temperatures

‘It’s time to get the warm winter clothes out,’ says Met Office forecaster

Cold air sweeping in from the Arctic is set to bring frosty conditions across the UK this weekend, with snow and sleet forecast to batter northern parts of the country.

The cold snap will bring an end to the largely mild start to autumn, with plummeting temperatures leading Met Office experts to put ice warnings in place.

Even in the south of England, where temperatures are forecast to be around 7C on Saturday, the wind chill factor means it will feel several degrees colder.

A yellow warning for snow and ice is in place for northern Scotland from 8pm on Friday, where snowfall is expected to be “substantial”, according to the Met Office.

Forecasters have warned patchy ice and slush could lead to some rail and road disruption.

Stein Connelly from Transport Scotland said: “Our operating companies have already started their winter services and will closely monitor the trunk road network, providing appropriate treatments where necessary.”

A separate warning for ice takes effect in Northern Ireland from 1am on Saturday.

Councils across the country have their gritting machines are on standby in preparation of the icy conditions, with a number of local authorities posting pictures of their fleets online.

Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: “It will be a fairly chilly start [to the weekend], with temperatures widely close to freezing and that means you’ll perhaps have to scrape your car windscreen and you’ll see a frost in place first thing.”

Eastern parts of the UK are likely to see hails showers and strong winds throughout Saturday, with the odd chance of a thunderstorm.

Met Office forecaster Bonnie Diamond said: “We have had a pretty mild October so far and a warm start to autumn in places so it will be a big change for everybody as we go through the weekend.

“Certainly it’s time to get the warm winter clothes out,” she added.

Sunday morning will see more widespread frost and freezing temperatures.

But sunshine should return to many parts of the country in the afternoon, with temperatures rising to 9C in the south of England.