UK weather forecast: Snow, ice and Arctic winds of 70mph set to batter Britain, Met Office warns

‘It’s going to feel pretty bitter as you step outside’

Forecasters have warned of rain, snow, ice and gale force gusts of up to 70mph on Sunday, as Britain is battered by a blast of strong northerly winds coming down from the Arctic.

Power cuts and travel disruption may hit areas worst affected by the wintry and potentially hazardous conditions, the Met Office warned.

A severe “yellow” warning for ice and snow is in place across northern Scotland, with a separate ice warning issued for the Scottish borders and parts of northern England.

And yellow warnings for wind are in force along stretches of the east and west coasts of England and the west coast of Wales.

The Met Office said delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport were likely in all affected areas, while motorists were urged to take extra care on icy roads.

Simon Partridge, meteorologist at the Met Office, said coastal areas would be hit by winds reaching up to 70mph, while inland gusts of up to 50mph are possible.

“With the strength of the wind it’s going to feel pretty bitter as you step out first thing,” he said of the blustery conditions. “Things don’t change a great deal through the rest of the day. With the wind chill it will feel bitterly cold when you’re out and about.”

Temperatures plummeted early Sunday following a relatively mild day on Saturday. Much of the country will remain somewhere between 2C and 4C this morning, climbing to only 5C or 6C this afternoon.

The east coast will bear the brunt of today’s bitter Arctic blast. The area is set to be battered by rain, sleet and snow, and its severe wind warning will remain in place until 9pm tonight.

Central and western parts of England might be fortunate enough to see spells of sunshine later today.

Mr Partridge warned further ice warnings could be issued this evening, and a widespread frost is expected to develop overnight.

The cold snap will stretch on into next week, with the potential for disruptive snow in central and southern areas on Tuesday and Wednesday. Sub-zero temperatures are expected to return overnight as the nation remains in the grip of the big freeze.