This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

After a spell of unseasonably mild weather, icy winds, sleet and snow showers have hit most of the UK.

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While snow has been falling in high areas of Scotland and Wales for some time, the latest cold spell has spread flurries as far south as the Isle of Wight, Southampton, Hampshire, Brighton and Devil’s Dyke in the South Downs of Sussex.

Bonnie Diamond, a Met Office spokeswoman, said on Wednesday: “Winter is coming in from the east. It is clearer today but from tomorrow, in the east, there is the chance of showers, some of those turning into sleet or snow over higher ground.”

She said western parts would be sheltered from the worst of the wintry weather and less likely to experience snow, although the Met Office is forecasting hail and thunder in the south-west on Thursday. Areas of higher ground in the north will continue to face a risk of snow.

Motorists were warned of hazardous driving conditions on the Pennines between Lancashire and Yorkshire, with the Snake Pass between Manchester and Sheffield among the main roads covered in a blanket of snow.

Gritters were sent out on Tuesday afternoon in Derbyshire as snow began to settle, with patrols on the roads throughout the night on other routes, including the Woodhead Pass and the Cat and Fiddle road near Macclesfield.

Derbyshire Armed Response Unit (@DerbyshireARU) Overnight saw some snowfall in the North of the county as our rural ARV found while patrolling the A57 Snake Pass from Bamford into Glossop.

Thankfully thanks were a little quieter tonight than they were on Monday night.

Shift 4 now on rest days and group 2 on days.#Snow pic.twitter.com/VDCw9EcUzF

Elsewhere, temperatures dipped to just below freezing overnight, with millions waking up to frost and icy conditions on Wednesday.

In the south, motorists were warned showers and freezing temperatures meant a risk of ice on the roads.

The Met Office advised people to be weather ready, tweeting a checklist that included getting the flu jab, checking tyres, packing a grab bag and making sure pipes were insulated.

Met Office (@metoffice) Be #WeatherReady

Consider:

1. Flu jab

2. Screen wash / tyres

3. Backup plans

4. Heating at 18 C

5. Pack a grab-bag

6. Impacts of winds / flooding

7. If pipes are insulated

8. Stocking supplies

9. Sharing this checklist

10. Finding out more 👉 https://t.co/w7GImvWqmI

A cold night with clear skies was forecast for Wednesday evening, with a widespread frost across the UK. More chilly weather was expected over the weekend, although Diamond said temperatures could be one or two degrees up on current levels by Sunday. The west was likely to see the best of the weather with some bright spells.