Britons are bracing for snow and ice as the Met Office identifies the areas where wintry weather will hit next.
Following a period of heavy rain and strong winds across the UK, temperatures are dropping as low-pressure systems move in from the northwest.
Northern regions are expected to bear the brunt of the wintry conditions, with the ECMWF weather model forecasting up to 13cm of snow settling on Scottish hills on Saturday night. Temperatures are set to plummet below freezing, reaching -2C in central Scotland and 1C on the south coast.
The Met Office anticipates blustery showers in the northwest today, with a chance of snow in some areas tonight. Clear skies and chilly conditions are expected in the evening, followed by rain and hill snow in Scotland overnight.
Annie Shuttleworth, a forecaster at the Met Office, highlighted a snow risk on higher ground for the day. Showers are likely to move in from the northwest with a potential for snow above 400m. Wet and windy weather will spread from the west, bringing overcast skies to western parts of the UK.
The recent shift in weather patterns, from sunny days with temperatures exceeding 19C to the current cold snap, is attributed to a cold plunge over North America strengthening the jet stream before crossing the Atlantic.
While the current weather conditions are typical for this time of year, there is optimism for milder temperatures to return soon. Grahame Madge from the Met Office emphasized the transitional nature of March, noting the tug-of-war between winter and spring weather patterns.
Overall, these weather fluctuations are part of the seasonal transition, and a return to milder conditions may be on the horizon.