BBC presenter says 'first taste of winter' as '20cm of snow' to fall

A weather expert has outlined more details about the cold temperatures and snow forecast for the week ahead. After a mild time recently, the mercury is set to plummet.

Simon King, lead weather presenter at the BBC, said: "We'll feel the first taste of winter weather over the coming days as chilly Arctic air spreads across the United Kingdom. Snow and ice warnings have been issued by the Met Office for late Sunday through to Tuesday.

"Northern areas and higher ground will be most at risk for potentially disruptive snow. Temperatures will be below the November average by Sunday with frosts expected through the coming week.

"As colder Arctic air moves southward across the UK over the weekend, wintry showers will start across northern Scotland on Sunday afternoon. The Met Office warn that around 5-10cm of snow could settle on higher ground in northern Scotland into Monday morning with 1-3cm possible to lower levels. Along with falling temperatures overnight into Monday, this will also bring the risk of ice."

He went on to say that an Atlantic weather system pushing in on Monday would cause some "uncertainty" in the forecast. Much of England and Wales is expected to get rain, but northern areas could see some snow. Higher ground in Northern Ireland, northern England and souther Scotland were most likely to get some, he said.

There are yellow Met Office warnings in place across northern England and southern Scotland on Monday and Tuesday. Simon said the high ground of the Pennines could see 15cm to 20cm of now, which could cause disruption.

Lower areas would likely see between 2cm and 10cm. He added that the warmer ground of November would mean snow would find it harder to settle. Northern Scotland is set to continue seeing snow showers on Monday and Tuesday. The colder weather is set to last for around a week.