UK weather live: Freezing rain to turn to snow across England as Met Office urges travel caution

Met Office chief meteorologist, Matthew Lehnert, said: “Through Saturday the rain will move further east and as it does, it’ll bump into the colder air meaning some snow is likely, mainly for parts of Northern England, covered by the snow and ice warning.

“2 to 5cm is possible over the Cheviots and North Yorks Moors, and it's possible we could see some localised accumulations to lower levels.

“Some freezing rain could affect higher parts of the Pennines for a time too leading to icy conditions. Some snow is possible outside the warning area, although amounts are likely to be small.”

Here is the Met Office forecast for Friday:

Today

Rather cloudy and windy across Northern Ireland, south and west Wales as well as southwest England, with some outbreaks of rain. A few showers in the far northeast. Elsewhere, early frost clearing then dry with bright spells. Another cold day.

Tonight

Patchy rain moving northeast across the UK, giving some snow and perhaps freezing rain over some of the hills. Clear spells across the far north and southeast, with some frost.

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for snow and ice, which it says could lead to some disruption on Saturday.

Forecasters say to expect:

• Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services
• Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
• Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces

The Met Office has warned that freezing rain could be possible in areas above 200m over the Pennines.

Freezing rain – commonly known as ice storms in North America – is not often seen in the UK because the conditions needed for it are quite specific.

It is rainfall that has become “supercooled” as it falls from the sky, travelling through various temperatures in the atmosphere.

It starts as sleet or hail high up in the atmosphere, but as it travels down it melts through a layer of warmer air, then refreezes again through a layer of colder air near the surface.

The effects can be visually striking, but also very hazardous if taking place on roads or pavements.

A yellow weather warning for ice and snow has been issued across parts of the UK this weekend.

Alexander Butler has more details in this report:

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for snow and ice, stretching from above Newcastle in the north, to Bradford further south.

A weather warning for snow and ice has been issued in northeastern England, and will be in force from 6am to 2pm on Saturday.

The Met Office has warned of up to 5cm of snow the North York Moors and Northumberland, with the potential for lesser accumulations in lower areas.

There is also a risk of ice over the Pennines, particularly above 200 metres where freezing rain is possible, forecasters said.

Good afternoon, we’ll be using this blog to bring you the latest UK weather updates as the Met Office issues weather warnings for snow and ice.