After many parts of the UK saw snow fall over the weekend, meteorologists have warned that the UK, particularly Northern and Eastern regions, could be facing a cold snap which will last to the end of the week and beyond.

image expired

After a mild, damp December, the Met office is forecasting 2-4 cm of snow across much of Northern England and parts of Wales with more possible in Scotland and hilly regions of England, where temperatures could fall as low as -10oC this week. Elsewhere, temperatures could fall to -5oC and widespread frost and ice are also forecast.

Currently, the Met Office has issued an amber warning for snow disruption in North East England, Yorkshire and Humber and East Midlands, signifying 'be prepared'. Several less-severe yellow warnings are also in place.

Andy Page, Met Office Chief Forecaster, said "We expect rain, sleet and snow to affect many parts of the UK over the next day or so, with eastern areas of Britain seeing the most snowfall. With some very low temperatures overnight we expect ice to cause some impacts too." The Met Office has said that, although there is currently "greater than average uncertainty" in predictions of long-term weather events, the cold weather may set in for the rest of the month, suggesting "colder conditions are more favoured rather than the milder weather experienced so far this winter".

The possibility of snow is a grim prospect for many farmers, coming so soon after the second wettest year on record left much of the UK's grassland sodden or submerged. In the South West, snow could turn to rainfall; some flood warnings remain in place in the region.

The NFU has advised farmers to prepare for "severe winter weather". The union said that harsh winters of 2009 and 2010 caught many in the UK off guard and warned that then "preparations were not what they might have been."

The union also reminded farmers in isolated regions to revisit guidance on the use of red diesel, after HMRC confirmed in December that farmers will be permitted to use red diesel in their tractors to help grit and clear snow from public roads this winter.