UK SNOWSTORM WARNING: Britain on 'severe weather emergency' as Met Office yellow warning warns of heavy snow disruption
PA
Sadiq Khan's office has made the announcement
Londoners are being told to brace for snow as Sadiq Khan issues a “severe weather emergency protocol”.
The Met Office has said that up to 3cm of snow could fall inland in parts of the UK, with “higher routes” of north-east Scotland expecting up to 5cm.
The Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist David Oliver, said that over Thursday and Friday, southern and central Britain could see snow fall “fairly widely”.
It comes as the United Kingdom is facing a cold snap following a blast of cold air from Scandinavia.
The Mayor of London announced that a “severe weather emergency protocol” had been put in place in the capital as temperatures are expected to drop below freezing overnight.
The measures put in will see emergency accommodation opened for rough sleepers with "charities and local councils … working around the clock to help them".
It comes as two yellow weather warnings were issued by the Met Office for this week.
A yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in issue for Thursday across the Eastern coast plus in rural Devon and Cornwall.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Met Office chief meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: "Wintry showers will lead to ice forming on untreated surfaces during Tuesday evening and overnight into Wednesday morning.
"Snow will begin to accumulate, especially away from windward coasts, with 1-3cm possible. Higher routes of northeast Scotland may see up to 5cm of snow accumulate."
Temperatures overnight are expected to stay below freezing for large parts of England and Scotland and frigid temperatures will probably continue into next week.
North Yorkshire has already seen snow with police have warned motorists of road closures on the A169 between Pickering and Whitby.
Parts of the UK have already woken up to snow
PA
Some roads and rail services are likely to be affected, with Britons warned to prepare for longer or delayed journey times on roadways, railways, and public transport.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued warnings of its own, with yellow and amber cold-health alerts for northern regions of England until Dec 5.
Snow is not expected to linger as ground temperatures usually remain relatively high at this time of year compared with late winter when the ground loses more of its warmth.
Daytime temperatures are expected to drop to single-digit figures this week.