Snow warnings were issued in Scotland and north England from 10am on Wednesday as temperatures dropped to as low as -5C (97F).
The meteorologist said it may drop some 10cm of snow on top of the highest ground, while there is also risk of dangerous icy conditions and lightning strikes from isolated thunder.
The Met Office said snow could cause travel disruption with possible “peak-hour power outages” over the next few days.
The yellow severe weather warning is due to last from 8pm Thursday to 11am friday morning, with the warning, which covers Glasgow as well, extending across the east of Scotland to northern England beyond Manchester.
Falling snow, which is on lower ground in northern England ‘may cause some temporary slushy accumulations which then may freeze and cause dangerous, icy patches where skies remain clear for long enough.’.
Grahame Madge, a spokesperson for the Met Office said: ‘We have got an area of high pressure across the UK, that will remain in situ until the early hours of tomorrow morning. Then we will start to see the weather front coming in.
Weather experts predict the first widespread frost of winter is on its way across Britain in coming days, with sub freezing temperatures expected on Wednesday.
The warning covers the Highlands and Islands, Central, Tayside and Fife, the South West, Strathclyde, Lothian and Borders.
⚠️ Yellow weather warning issued ⚠️
Snow across the high ground of Scotland and northern England
Thursday 1000-1600Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware⚠️ pic.twitter.com/bpmWde9PkB
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 5, 2022
There are #icy stretches across parts of the UK this morning, take extra care when setting off on your journey 🚶♂️🚶♀️🚲🚗
Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/MTJ9fsTpJV
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 5, 2022
Central, Tayside and Fife- Weather, Road users are advised to drive with care due to low temperatures and the risk of ice currently affecting driving conditions on many roads throughout the region. has been cleared. #TSIncident
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) January 5, 2022
With warnings in place, parts of western Scotland and Northern Ireland will see #thundersnow on Thursday night . But what is this? 🌩️❄️ pic.twitter.com/sJxn4IBAoE
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 5, 2022