UK weather: Heavy snow and ice set to hit the nation

Up to 20cm of snow is expected in the worst affected areas

(Getty Images)

Large swathes of the UK will be blanketed in snow again this weekend, with the Met Office issuing warnings for wintry conditions that could see some rural areas cut off.

Yellow warning for snow and ice are in place across England’s northeast and much of Scotland for Friday and Saturday, with meteorologists forecasting close to 8 inches (20cm) of snow in the worst-hit areas.

The Met Office warned that some rural communities could become cut off by the heavy snow, while there are also likely to be delays to travel, power cuts, as well as risk of injury due to the ice.

Meanwhile, other regions of England and Wales are expected to see similar weather from the beginning of next week, with snow and icy conditions likely between Monday and Wednesday.

The Environment Agency had 56 flood warnings, meaning immediate action is required, in place across England on Friday morning.

Parts of southwest England recorded almost 30mm of rainfall, while some areas of Scotland saw 19cm of snow in just 24 hours overnight on Thursday.

Nicola Maxey, a Met Office spokesperson, told the PA news agency the downpours will be caused by a band of rain moving in from the southwest.

Ms Maxey said: “From Friday evening we’ve got a series of weather fronts bringing rain across Cornwall and much of Devon until tomorrow. As this rain starts to move north it will combine with cold air already over the UK, causing snow across much of Wales, where up to 20cm could fall in the highest regions.

“Over the weekend large swathes of the UK will see some form of snow, with warnings in place for much of Scotland and the northeast of England. Even parts of London and the southeast should see a small flurry, which is unlikely to settle.”