Maps show UK snow and ice warnings this weekend as temperatures drop

Met Office forecasters have issued a three-day warning for snow as the UK returns from its Christmas break – as well as a cold weather health alert for the general public.

The snow warning will be in place until at least the morning of Monday, 6 January, placing families on alert for a risk of power cuts and travel delays.

Separately, an ice warning has been issued for Northern Ireland and much of Scotland, as well as a separate snow and ice warning for northern Scotland, both of which have now been extended by a further 24 hours until at least 10am on Friday, 3 January.

Both the Met Office and National Rail have warned Britons to plan their travel carefully over the coming days, in light of ongoing and expected disruption.

And flood alerts have also been issued for the Lower River Wharfe system and Lower River Ure waterway, both in Yorkshire.

This follows the declaration of a major incident in Greater Manchester on Wednesday, after heavy rain and flooding forced homes to be evacuated and closed train lines.

The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol to help rough sleepers was also activated in Bristol in response to plunging temperatures.

Marco Petagna, senior Met Office meteorologist, said: “Most roads will be treated, there’s a chance on untreated roads that ice will still be an issue.

“On Friday I think we will see further snow and ice warnings issued.”

What does the weekend weather warning say?

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow covering most of England and Wales, as well as parts of Scotland.

This is due to be in place from 12pm on Saturday, 4 January, until 9am on Monday, 6 January.

According to forecasters, this mean there will be:

• A small chance of power cuts or disruption to services such as mobile phone coverage

• A slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off

• A chance of travel delays on roads, as well as delayed or cancelled rail and air travel

Separate warnings for ice and snow and ice, respectively, were also issued, but were due to end by 10am on Thursday, 2 January.

Experts have also suggested more weather alerts could be issued in the coming days.

Cold weather health alert issued across England

The impending cold snap has also triggered formal guidance for the public to take care of their health while temperatures plunge.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has now issued an amber Cold-Health Alert (CHA) for all regions of England, which will be in place until at least midday on Wednesday, 8 January.

Conditions are likely to exacerbate pre-existing health conditions, such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, while other other vulnerable groups, such as rough sleepers, will also be at greater risk.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: “The forecasted temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.

“These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.”

What about flooding?

Dozens of flood warnings and flood alerts have been issued by the Environment Agency in the wake of the latest bout of wintry weather.

Many of this are in place for Yorkshire, where river levels have peaked in the Lower River Wharfe system and the Lower River Ure waterway.

Notices have also been put out for parts of the South West, the Midlands and the North West.

Follow the latest official advice here.

Here, Yahoo News UK breaks down what the weather is likely to be like across the regions this week:

London and the South East

Dry and clear conditions overnight on Thursday turning to a frosty start to Friday, but staying largely dry with patchy cloud in parts.

More frost expect on Saturday with a chance of snow later on, before turning milder on Sunday and Monday with the possibility of rain.

East of England

Coastal showers set to die away overnight on Thursday, leaving dry, frosty conditions, turning into scattered wintry showers on Friday, with maximum temperatures rising to just 3C.

Another frosty start on Saturday will later develop into rain and snow, with conditions turning milder on Sunday and Monday with the possibility of more showers.

South West

Temperatures falling as low as -5C in parts overnight on Thursday, leading to “isolated winter flurries”.

Friday will have a bright, dry and frosty start, but with rain arriving by Saturday, with a chance of snow in parts, before wetter and milder through Sunday and drying out again on Monday.

Midlands

A possibility of scattered snow and freezing fog across the region on Thursday night, before drying out over the course of Friday, which will dawn sunny and cold with maximum temperatures of 6C.

Cloud and rain likely on Saturday, but due to turn to snow or rain later one and continue overnight.

More rain likely on Sunday with a possibility it could develop into snow and then becoming drier and milder into Monday.

North East

After a dry and clear Thursday night leading to widespread frost, wintry showers are expected to largely stick to coastal areas on Friday, before drying out to leave sunny but cold conditions with maximum temperatures of 2C.

Saturday is predicted to be frosty to begin with, with the possibility of snow falling overnight and into Sunday, with a chance it could persist into Monday.

North West

A largely dry and clear Thursday evening is expected to turn cloudy overnight, bringing wintry showers and “an enhanced ice risk”, as well as strong winds.

Wintry showers will continue into Friday morning, before drying out leading to sunny spells, although temperatures are unlikely to rise about 5C.

Isolated showers will also threaten throughout Saturday, with snow and sleet arriving by Sunday, with the possibility it could linger into Monday, as well as a risk of ice.

Yorkshire and Humber

Frost is expected to develop quickly following a clear and dry Thursday evening, but with clouds and showers arriving later, but largely sticking to coastal areas.

This will leave conditions largely sunny but also very cold throughout Friday, will maximum temperatures of 3C.

Saturday will start fry and frosty, but with the chance of “disruptive snowfall” overnight and persisting into Sunday, with a chance of disruption lasting until Monday.

Scotland

A band of sleet and snow is expected to move south through Scotland over Thursday night, with temperatures reaching a low of -5C in parts, before largely drying out into Friday morning.

More snow, sleet and rain predicted through Friday, but with most areas drier on Saturday, although other, such as Orkney and the Highlands will see rain.

More wintry showers due on Sunday and set to continue into Monday.

Northern Ireland

Cold and dry conditions on Thursday evening are expected to continue throughout Friday and into Saturday, before turning to rain, sleet and snow overnight and into Sunday.

Conditions predicted to be drier and windier by Monday.

Wales

Temperatures falling as low as -5C on Thursday night, with wintry flurries in parts.

Sunny in the south and cloudy into the north on Friday, but drying out by Saturday morning, before rain and snow arrives on the evening.

Wetter conditions expected on Sunday, but drying out into Monday.