Arctic air spreads across UK as snow and ice warnings issued

Amber severe weather warnings for snow and several yellow warnings for snow and ice have been issued by the Met Office for areas around the UK on Friday.

Arctic air is spreading across the country as a lengthy period of colder weather takes hold, with yellow warnings set to be in force in some regions until Sunday.

With lower temperatures, amber cold health alerts from the UK's Health Security Agency (UKHSA) cover the whole of England.

Amber snow warnings will come into force in Scotland on Friday, but wintry weather and icy surfaces could also bring travel disruption to large parts of England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Amber warnings for snow come into effect at midday on Friday in large parts of Scotland, including in Angus, Perth and Kinross, Grampian, Aberdeenshire, Moray and parts of the Highlands.

Snow showers will become more frequent during the day. Accumulations of 10-20cm are likely at low levels with 30-40cm possible on high ground with some drifting and blizzards.

It urged people to plan routes carefully and to pack essentials in your car in the event of delays. Key items to bring include warm clothing, water, a blanket and ice-scraper.

The amber warnings in Scotland are currently due to be in effect until midday on Saturday.

Throughout Friday, an area of rain, sleet and snow will spread across Northern Ireland, Wales, parts of north-west England, the Midlands and southern England.

Yellow warnings for snow and ice are already in force for large parts of England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

As much as 5cm of snow is possible in a few areas, including the higher ground of north Wales, north-west England and the north-west Midlands, the Met Office added.

The Met Office yellow warning for snow and ice for large parts of England and Wales will be in effect until 12:00 GMT on 2 January.

A separate yellow warning for Northern Ireland will end at 10am on Friday.

Amber cold health alerts from the UKHSA for the whole of England will be in place until 12:00 on 6 January.

The alerts warn of a rise in deaths particularly among elderly and vulnerable people.

Other consequences of cold weather include temperatures inside hospitals and care homes dropping below the levels recommended for assessing health risks, and challenges for people keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18C, according to the UKHSA.

Another area of snow showers will feed in across eastern coastal areas England during Saturday.

Here, another Met Office yellow warning has been issued for all of Saturday where around 1-3 cm of snow is likely to accumulate quite widely, with 5-8 cm possible in places such as the North York Moors.

Meanwhile the frequent snow showers will continue in northern Scotland right through until the weekend.

Strong winds on Saturday will bring blizzards and drifts of snow with the north-west Highlands and Grampians perhaps seeing as much as 60cm of snow by the end of the weekend.

An additional Met Office yellow warning is in force for northern and western Scotland covering the whole weekend.

Temperatures will be around 3-5C at best with some parts of Scotland and northern England experiencing 'ice-days' where temperatures won't rise above freezing.

These low temperatures with widespread overnight frosts are expected to continue well into next week.

Stay up to date with the latest forecast on the BBC Weather website or app as details are likely to change.