Snow starts to fall in UK

There is snow falling across some parts of Britain this morning but there will be barely a flake in other areas today.

Strong easterly winds sent temperatures tumbling yesterday and the Met Office issued a weather warning covering almost the entire country.

Eastern Scotland is likely to see the worst of the weather but late morning snow showers in the south of England are expected to turn to drizzle this afternoon.

Brendan Jones, forecaster for MeteoGroup UK, the weather division of the Press Association, said: “It will be very patchy in nature. Some places probably won’t see any at all.

“In eastern Scotland and parts of the north east of England there is already snow falling and some settling on the hills.

“Through this morning and this afternoon too there will be snow showers.”

He said the snow should not affect many commuters travelling into London today.

“It will be late morning when it arrives in London so most people will be in work by the time it arrives,” he said.

The snow is expected to have disappeared by the time most people in the capital leave work.

The Highways Agency warned drivers to take care and to pack extra clothing in case of breakdowns today.

The first cold snap of the New Year is likely to be short-lived, with temperatures in southern England reaching as high as 8C by tomorrow.