30 hours of 'non-stop snow' to hit as exact start and end times revealed

The UK is bracing for 30 hours of relentless snow as the weather takes a significant turn and temperatures take a nosedive this weekend. The nation is set to experience a sharp drop in mercury levels as we delve further into December, with weather maps indicating potential snowfall.

Weather charts by WXCharts, utilising Met Desk data, reveal Scotland will be first hit by the snowstorm on Saturday, December 21. Following this, the Midlands and North East of England can expect impact by noon.

According to predictions, Manchester in the North West and parts of Wales should also prepare for possible falls. Colour indicators on weather maps have shifted to purple, signifying worsening conditions, with up to 10cm of snow anticipated in some places by Sunday morning.

Snow could continue until Sunday evening. Netweather TV's forecast for the latter half of December says: "High pressure is forecast to move away to the south and west during this week, allowing an unsettled west to north-westerly type to take over for much of the week.", reports the Mirror.

"It may start off mild and dry in the south with high pressure still close by to the south and south-east, but from midweek onwards we can expect the more unsettled regime to extend to all parts of the country. There will be bands of rain moving south-eastwards across the country from time to time, interspersed with some brighter, showery weather.

"Temperatures will tend to fluctuate around the seasonal average, with some milder interludes, especially for the south, interspersed with colder polar maritime north-westerlies. The general trend is expected to be for it to turn colder as the week progresses, with potential for some snowfalls on high ground, especially in the north, and possibly at lower levels in central and northern parts of Britain on occasion, most likely late in the week."

However, prior to that, mild temperatures are forecast for midweek, with temperatures reaching up to 14C. This is due to a low-pressure system located southwest of the country, which is bringing warmer weather, albeit accompanied by cloud and rain.

Nevertheless, this mild spell is expected to be short-lived, with temperatures set to drop significantly later in the week.