Parts of the UK are braced for the prospect of snow falling in the coming days as Brits brace for a chilly end to the month and start of March.
The Met Office has confirmed a major sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event has taken place which could bring biting cold fronts to the UK.
Some places have been warned they are almost certain to experience flurries, some of which could be more than 30cm deep in central and northern Scotland, as temperatures dip in the coming days.
Maps from WXCharts have now suggested there is a significant likelihood of snow falling across the UK over the coming weeks, with the only fall today in the Scottish mountains.
Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said in an update on Twitter the effects of the SSW will arrive next month.
He explained: “We’re not expecting any impacts from the sudden stratospheric warming to take place for the UK until around the first week of March.
"Also, there’s another thing happening on the other side of the world , an uptick in thundery activity over the Pacific and that can lead to perturbations in the jet stream and that can lead to a reinforcement of large areas of high pressure.
"And so the impact of those two outside factors are looking increasingly likely to affect our weather from next weekend, from the fourth, fifth of March onwards.
"And those are the scenarios that start to play out as we get into the following weekend and the week beyond. With the sudden stratospheric warming and with those thunderstorms in the Pacific helping to reinforce high pressure close to the UK.”
Forecast by regions
Scotland
It will turn increasingly cloudy through the first part of the morning with rain following behind, this heavy at times. Rain persisting through much of the day with strong westerly winds. Maximum temperature 8 C.
North West
A much chillier feel to the morning than of late with a frosty start for many. Plenty of sunshine on offer during the day but feeling colder than of late, particularly around coastlines where it will be breezy to start. Maximum temperature 8C.
North East
A chilly start across the region with some patchy frosts, but a dry and sunny day will see temperatures recover to around average for time of year. Cloud moves in from the north during the late afternoon. Maximum temperature 8C.
East Midlands
A cloudy start, but breaking up through the morning to leave a dry and sunny day for most. Some cloud around at times through the afternoon may give one or two spots of rain, but the majority remaining dry. Maximum temperature 9C.
West Midlands
A much chillier feel to the morning than of late. Some cloud lingering during the early hours but this clearing quickly leaving plenty of sunshine on offer. Perhaps a breezy start but winds turning light for all. Feeling cold. Maximum temperature 8 °C.
East of England
A much chillier feel to the morning than of late. Some cloud lingering during the early hours but this clearing quickly leaving plenty of sunshine on offer. Perhaps a breezy start but winds turning light for all. Feeling cold. Maximum temperature 8 °C.
London and South East
A cloudy morning with one or two spots of light rain. Dry through the afternoon, with cloud breaking up to give some sunny spells by the late afternoon. Clearer skies into the evening. Maximum temperature 9 °C.
South West
A cloudy start with patchy light rain at times across the south. Turning brighter and drier from midday with clearer skies by the evening. Winds slowly easing but staying breezy across southern coastlines. Feeling cold. Maximum temperature 9 °C.
Northern Ireland
It will be a dry and sunny start to the day but clouding over from the northwest by late morning. Staying mostly dry through the day but perhaps a little light rain in the north by late afternoon. Maximum temperature 9 °C.
Wales
A much chillier feel to the morning than of late. Some cloud lingering during the morning, possibly some light rain too, but this eventually clearing leaving sunny spells for the rest of the day. Feeling cold, particularly around breezier coastlines. Maximum temperature 9 °C.
