An amber warning is in place as the UK braces for snow disruption.

Heavy snow and freezing rain is set to cause significant disruption across the UK, with an amber weather warning now in place.

Parts of northern England, the Midlands and Wales are forecast to be worst affected as the adverse weather pushes northwards overnight, with 20-40cm (7.8-15.7in) of snow possible in some places. is

The Met Office has warned of dangerous travel conditions and told motorists it is “safer not to drive”. Power cuts are possible and some rural communities may be cut off.

Less severe yellow weather warnings are also in place for other areas including Scotland, Northern Ireland and southern England.

Amber Weather warnings are in place:

• Snow and freezing rain warnings covering much of Wales and central England, including the Midlands and northwestern cities of Liverpool and Manchester, until Sunday afternoon.
• A separate warning for snow is in place for much of northern England, including Leeds, Sheffield and the Lake District, from 21:00 GMT on Saturday until midnight on Sunday.

Amber warnings are more serious than yellow warnings and indicate a potential threat to life due to severe weather as well as more significant travel disruption.

Much of England and Wales is covered by a separate yellow warning for snow and freezing rain until Sunday, although there is uncertainty over how much disruption the adverse weather could cause, with milder temperatures forecast.

Most of Northern Ireland, as well as parts of northern Scotland, are covered by yellow warnings for snow and ice.

Professor Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, told BBC Radio 4’s Today program that freezing rain occurs when droplets fall on surfaces at temperatures below zero degrees and freeze immediately, which “Glowing snow” forms on the ground.

Snow began to fall in western parts of England on Saturday evening, and a zone of wet weather will move northwards across England and Wales overnight, easily turning to snow as it settles across the UK. interacts with air.

The heaviest snow is expected in higher parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England, with up to 30-40 cm expected over the mountains, Peak District and Pennines of north Wales.

There is a chance of some damaging snow at lower levels but it will mix with rain in places – there is a risk of snow falling on colder surfaces.

Cumbria Police said on Saturday afternoon it had received a number of calls about a multi-vehicle collision at Wrynose Pass in the Lake District.

Road users in the north of England have been warned that up to 25cm of snow could affect parts of the network including the A66 Old Spital, the A628 Woodhead Pass and the M62 at Windy Hill.

Eastern parts of Northern Ireland could also see light snow overnight with up to 10cm possible on the hills.

Snow and ice will also affect parts of southern and eastern Scotland early in the morning, with slippery conditions also likely in northern Scotland from wintry rain.

Any snow is likely to change to sleet as light winds move in across southern counties of England and southern Wales – parts of south-west England could see temperatures up to 12C by late night.

Further snow is expected in parts of northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland on Sunday, where it will remain cold.

Heavy rain will be more of a problem in Wales, central and southern England where milder conditions will develop.

Fresh yellow weather warnings will also be in effect in some areas on Sunday.

Heavy rain and melting snow could lead to flooding in parts of north-west England and Wales, while localized snow and ice warnings cover parts of Scotland where the cold will persist.

Temperatures are forecast to drop again from Monday, and cold weather health warnings remain in place for the whole of England by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).