Sleet and snow forecast for west Wiltshire this weekend

Thursday will be cold with frequent showers, these being heavy and wintry at times.

The weather will remain cold and unsettled for Friday and Saturday, with wintry showers, possible coastal gales and snow on the hills.

The weekend period from Saturday to Monday will start unsettled across all parts of the UK, with areas of heavy rain and showers, locally of soft hail, sleet and snow likely, and possibly more widespread snow over some hills and mountains.

It will often be windy, especially around coasts, but in quieter interludes overnight there will remain the potential for some patchy frost, and isolated mist and freezing fog.

Temperatures are expected to be a below average overall. Later in this period, it could turn drier and more settled with a chance of high pressure moving in from the north, bringing brisk easterly winds.

Again, where winds fall lighter, overnight frost and patchy fog is likely.

Steve Ramsdale, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “Although we’re going to see a few days with colder conditions, we shouldn’t be surprised that the start of winter brings a brief spell of wintry weather.

"Some parts of the UK, especially northern hills, may see snow, but for many this will only be short lived.

"We’ll be monitoring the forecast and we will issue warnings accordingly.”

The organisation's deputy chief meteorologist Chris Bulmer added: “Although winter has started rather abruptly, this colder spell is expected to be part of typical seasonal fluctuations and doesn’t set the mould for the rest of winter. “