On their website, the weather experts at the Met Office say: “Throughout Thursday, showers will increasingly turn to snow in northern Scotland, and a strong, perhaps gale force northerly wind will also set in. “A yellow national severe weather warning for snow and ice has been issued, with some significant accumulations possible by Friday morning.”

A new UK weather forecast predicts snow hitting 15 major towns and cities later in December as a wintry downpour is anticipated before Christmas.