Blizzards set to batter parts of UK as temperatures plummet to -6C and snow warnings issued

Sleet and snow showers will continue to hit UK coasts overnight into Thursday, with worst-affected areas set to face disruption to travel and potential power cuts, the forecaster said.

As much as 25cm of snow could settle on high ground on the North York Moors and the surrounding area, where the amber warning comes into force from 3am until 9pm.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst: "Thursday will be a sunny day for most, but there will be further sleet and snow showers for coastal stretches which will filter a little inland too. Heavy across north-east England in particular.

"The highest snowfall totals from Wednesday night through Thursday will likely be across the Sperrins, North Yorkshire Moors, Northwest Highlands, Grampians and upland Pembrokeshire."

The national weather service said rural communities could become cut off in the amber warning area as gusty winds hit, creating "occasional blizzard conditions", with the possibility of lightning a further hazard.

Motorists faced tricky conditions across the North East on Wednesday night, with North Yorkshire Police urging drivers to avoid the A171 near Whitby where a number of vehicles became stuck because of the snow.

Officers also closed the A169 between Whitby and Pickering amid heavy snow.

'Treacherous'

Shaun Jones, AA Expert Patrol, said: "When snow and ice hit, the roads can quickly become treacherous. Stopping distances can increase tenfold on icy surfaces, so slowing down and leaving plenty of space is absolutely vital.

"Drivers should plan ahead, stick to main routes and allow extra time for their journey."

Wintry showers will hit East Anglia, western Wales and Cornwall overnight but persisting snow in the North East could cause "substantial disruption", the Met Office said.

Some five yellow warnings for snow and ice are in place across the country on Thursday, with alerts for the coast of north-east England, Cornwall, Devon and western Wales in place until 11.59pm.

National Rail urged rail commuters to check their journeys before travelling during the snowy and icy weather.

It said speed restrictions may be in place for trains to run safely, which could result in cancellations, alterations and delays to services.

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Cold Arctic air continues to take hold across the country meaning bitter temperatures feel even colder and widespread frosts are expected overnight on Thursday when temperatures could reach -6C in some rural northern areas.

But the coldest temperatures could still be ahead, the Met Office warned, with potential for lows of -12C in areas of lying snow in Scotland on Friday.

Temperatures will begin to rise closer to averages for this time of year at the weekend when wetter and windier weather arrives, but it will not be as "exceptionally mild" as it was earlier in November, the forecaster said.