Storm Caroline: UK braced for snow and freezing weather as Met Office warnings issued

Temperatures set to drop as low as -12C in some areas as cold air dragged in from Scandinavia

Severe weather warnings have been issued in several regions as more snow and temperatures as low as -12C are set to hit the UK this weekend.

Snowfall is forecast to continue in parts of northwest England, the Midlands and Wales, with as much as 20cm (8in) predicted in some areas as Storm Caroline drags cold air across the country from Scandinavia.

Wintery storms are due to make their way over British Isles on Saturday, with heavier snow expected on Sunday.

Although southern areas may miss out on the worst of the weather, the Met Office has warned temperatures will still plummet to “bitterly cold” levels, dropping as low as -12C (10F) on Sunday morning.

Met Office chief meteorologist Dan Suri said; “It’s going to be a cold weekend for everybody with some hard frost at night.

“Whilst the snow on Saturday will be in the form of showers and many people will not get any, on Sunday we’re expecting more widespread snow with around 10 cm in parts of northwest England, the Midlands and Wales, with a chance of 15-20 cm in more exposed isolated areas.”

A yellow warning of snow and ice covering western parts stretching from Devon and Cornwall in the south to the far north of Scotland is in place until 6pm on Saturday evening.

Strong winds pose the risk of blizzard conditions across northern Scotland on Saturday, where thousands of homes were left without power on Friday.

The Met Office is also warning more potentially disruptive weather could be on its way for southern areas of the country early next week.

Storm Ana, named by the Spanish weather service, is expected to move into France on Monday and may bring a spell of wet and windy weather to parts of southern England with the potential for more snow.

Additional reporting by Press Association