UK weather: Snow and ice warnings issued by Met office

Parts of Scotland have already seen up to 11cm of snow

Roads may be icy and there is the potential for travel disruption  (Getty Images)

The Met Office has issued ‘yellow’ warnings for wintry weather for much of the UK, including the whole of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In England, the weather warning is in place for much of the north, Midlands, southwest and parts of East Anglia. This area stretches from Northumberland down to Cornwall and across to Norfolk in the east.

The warning in Scotland is already in place and will remain so until midnight Thursday. In Northern Ireland a warning for ice will last from 2pm Thursday to 12pm Friday.

Meanwhile in England and Wales a yellow weather warning for snow and ice will begin 5pm Thursday and remain in place until midnight Friday.

A widespread frost has been forecast with outbreaks of rain, sleep and snow moving in from the north Thursday night.

The Met Office says that people should expect “icy patches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths” as well as the potential for travel disruption and injuries due to “slips and falls on icy surfaces.”

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Snow and freezing fog have already hit Scotland with snow up to 11cm in depth recorded in the Highlands. Temperatures have also dropped, minus 6.4C was recorded in Dumfries and Galloway during Wednesday night.

Met Office forecaster, Oli Claydon, said: "There's been a fragmented front moving south-eastwards, that's what's brought the snow.”

Further snow showers are expected in northern parts of Scotland during the afternoon and into the evening. This could mean an additional 10cm of snow falling on higher ground.