UK weather: 'Coldest blast for a year' threatens to bury parts of Britain under a foot of snow as sub-zero polar gales swoop in

Government forecasters have issued warnings for up to 12 inches of snow over Scotland, with severe weather likely to trigger power outages and road closures.

The mercury will tumble from this evening, with Scotland and northern England in the firing line for the worst of the blast, according to the Met Office.

Meteorologist Alex Burkill said: “Temperatures are going to plummet with temperatures in some rural spots on New Years Eve getting to -6C, -7C, or -8C, and there will be a cold frosty day, with a harsh frost in some rural spots.

“As we go through New Year’s Day, the snow risk increases, and we are going to see plenty of showers piling their way down from the north on brisk northerly winds and this is going to lead to some lying snow over Scotland.

“We could see 10cm to 20cm with perhaps 30cm over the highest routes.”

Strengthening winds will hit gale-force by the end of the week, Burkill warned, unleashing further snow.

He said: “Across Scotland, it is going to turn unsettled with mostly rain but some of this will turn a bit wintry, and there will be lots of calm weather further south, so, a tale of two halves across the country.

“Winds to the north will strengthen, and as we go into Friday, a weather front will clear away to the south, and we are going to end up in a brisk northerly flow.

“Areas exposed to this will continue to see showers, and we will see snow levels building up across parts of Scotland.”

Britain is wrapping up for the coldest snap since last winter, with feel-like temperatures in parts plunging to -12C.

While northern regions face the worst disruption, snow could fall as far south as Kent, Sussex, London and the east coast.

Jim Dale, meteorologist for British Weather Services and co-author of ‘Surviving Extreme Weather’, said: “This is undoubtedly going to be the coldest snap since last January, and there will be an issue in parts of the country with snow and disruption.

“Scotland and northern regions will get the heaviest snowfall, although there will be the risk of sleet or snow showers elsewhere.

“While this doesn’t look like a ‘Beast from the East’, it is a significant period of winter weather.”

A UK Health Security (UKHSA) cold-weather-health alert is in force across England warning of an increased risk to the elderly and vulnerable.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “As the colder weather sets in it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.

“The forecasted temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.”

The Met Office has separate warnings in force for snow on Thursday and Friday across Scotland.