WILTSHIRE, including Swindon, could see flurries of snow at the weekend as as temperatures plummet and gale-force winds sweep in from the Arctic.

Forecasters say rain today - already blamed for the scrapping of fireworks at the Christmas lights switch-on ceremony at Wharf Green, Swindon - and tomorrow will make way for a bitterly cold weekend.

Weather forecasters have said the milder-than-normal temperatures of the last weeks will drop to below freezing in some areas, bringing snow to eastern areas of Scotland and the North Pennines by Friday evening.

High hills in England and Wales can also expect some snow to accumulate as two cold fronts sweep in from the Arctic over the day and head south. Most other areas can expect wintry showers and some sleet.

Paul Mott, forecaster at MeteoGroup, said: "Friday won't be too bad a day and there will be sunny spells, but it will be chilly and breezy with showers that will turn to snow in some areas in Scotland in the evening.

"Another cold front on Friday night will bring outbreaks of snow and sleet across the UK, but the hills of Wales, Scotland and England will have the most accumulations.

"Saturday will also be cold but we will see an improving picture, but temperatures will stay around a maximum of 3C-4C (37.40F-39.2F) in most areas.

"It should continue to pick up a bit, but we may see some frost on Sunday and into Monday morning."

While the worst of Storm Barney may have passed, fresh gale-force winds will batter mostly northern areas again throughout the weekend, according to the Met Office.

A moderate weather warning has been issued for Northumberland where winds of up to 63mph are expected. According to the Beaufort Scale, this could typically result in uprooted trees and structural damage to buildings.

Similar warnings are also in place for County Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne over Friday and Saturday, where winds are expected to reach 47mph and 48mph respectively.

The Met Office has said this weekend will feel "noticeably colder" across all regions, with a lot of areas waking up to a "raw" Saturday morning, with a mixture of sunny spells and scattered wintry showers. Snowfall is likely in places, with small accumulations possible on the hills.

Another very cold day on Sunday is likely with some sunshine, but also scattered showers, some falling as hail, sleet or snow.

Campaign to help elderly through the winter

WILTSHIRE Community Foundation has launched a ‘Surviving Winter’ campaign to assist the most vulnerable residents in the county over the winter months.

On average 300 Wiltshire people die each winter because of the cold. Most of those who suffer premature winter-related death are over 65 and 75 per cent of these deaths are due to the impact the cold has on respiratory and circulatory conditions. 

Hundreds more experience hardship and suffering due to the cold weather, the cost of heating and poor housing. This can be prevented if people can afford to keep themselves and their homes warm. 

Wiltshire Community Foundation works with partner organisations such as Age UK, Aster Living, the Credit Unions, Citizens Advice and Wiltshire Good Neighbours who identify those who really need help.

They give grants of £200 directly to those identified and last year were able to support nearly 300 households.

Jon Yates, the Community Foundation’s development director, said: “This winter you can help us to help even more people, people whose face you will not see, but who feel the cold, have to choose between heating and eating, who spend the day in bed to avoid turning on the fire and people at risk because the cold dramatically effects illnesses and disability." 

People who receive a winter fuel payment but don’t need it are urged to consider making a donation to the foundation. Every penny of every donation will go directly to the people in Wiltshire.

To donate to Surviving Winter call 01380 729284 or visit www.wiltshirecf.org.uk