UK weather: Snow falls in London and across Britain as cold snap bites

Forecasters warn temperatures could drop to -10C in the Scottish Highlands

Snow has been spotted falling in London as well as elsewhere across the UK as freezing weather grips the country.

Parts of London, including Old Street, saw light snowfall late morning, against forecasters' predictions and prompting excitement on social media.

Britain is currently experiencing a cold snap, with weather warnings issued for parts of the UK as temperatures drop below freezing.

Schools in North Yorkshire and northeast Scotland, around Aberdeen, have already been forced to close because of snowy conditions.

The Met Office has issued severe weather alerts saying snow and ice is expected in large parts of the UK on Thursday, with the possibility of 2cm and 5cm of snow over northern Scotland and northeast England.

There is also the risk of snow in the East Midlands and East Anglia and ice warnings have been issued for Northern Ireland, Wales and southwest England.

The mercury is expected to drop to -10C in the Scottish Highlands, which will be the coldest temperature recorded in Britain this year so far.

Flurries of snow fell at London’s Stansted Airport this morning and drivers have been urged to be cautious on the roads.

The Met Office said: “Britain will have a chilly run up to the start of winter as a cold northerly wind blows across the UK.

“An area of low pressure to the east and a ridge of high pressure to the west will funnel cold Arctic air into the UK through the week.”