UK Weather: Snow, ice and gusts of up to 75mph expected in parts of Britain this weekend

Met office has issued yellow warnings for wind and ice across much of Scotland

Traffic slows as snow falls on 27th December last year (PA)

The UK can expect snow, ice and gusts of up to 75mph this weekend as forecasters predict tumbling overnight temperatures may spell weather misery for parts of northern England and Scotland.

The Met office has issued warnings for dangerous winds and ice across most of Scotland today and tomorrow.

A Met office spokesperson told The Independent: “There will be strong winds across the northern isles until 11 this evening, with the north of Scotland receiving the worst of these gusts.

“The Orkney and Shetland islands may see gusts reaching up to 75mph in exposed places,” he added.

Earlier today an outbound passenger aircraft from Stornaway airport, on the Isle of Lewis and off the north-west Scottish coast, was blown off the runway after a wheel collapsed following intensely strong winds. Two passengers received minor injuries.

The Met spokesperson continued: “There will be some wintery precipitation, possibly snow but more likely sleet, above 200m in the north and central belt of England. So there is some possibility of snow at these areas but it will be confined to higher ground.”

Next week promises some very different weather depending where you are in the country.

South-western counties could see temperatures as high as 13 degrees early in the week, while parts of Northern England and Scotland may experience lows of five degrees.

A mixture of sun and cloud will make the crucial difference – although Scotland will be colder sunny breaks should help to make it appear warmer, while central parts of England may shiver under overcast skies.