Coldest air of season brings snow risk to Derbyshire this weekend

A Met Office spokesman said on Wednesday afternoon: “This weekend an arctic maritime air mass will spread across the country bringing cold weather.

“Everyone will notice a change in the weather after the start of November was the second mildest on record.

“On Friday, the cold air will begin to spread southwards with showers falling as snow over high ground in the north and increasingly to lower levels here later.

“Furthermore, overnight Friday and into Saturday, other areas of the UK could see some snow showers with accumulations possible even to low levels.

“At the moment, details of exactly where the heaviest snow will be is uncertain as the weather system hasn’t developed yet.

“By Saturday, the cold air will be in place across all parts of the UK with a mixture of sunny spells and sleet or snow showers likely.

“Many places inland will avoid the showers with some good sunny spells.

“In a stark contrast to recent days when temperatures have been well above average for the time of year, we can expect temperatures to be below average with maximum daytime values of around three to seven degrees Celsius.

“Overnight minimum temperatures are likely to drop below freezing away from coasts to give a widespread frost, with the risk of some icy patches where showers have fallen during the day.

“Strong north to northwesterly winds will enhance the cold feel in what will be the coldest air of the season so far with a risk of gales in exposed locations.

“Although this will be the first widespread cold spell of the season, it is fairly typical for mid-late November and it’s not unusual to see snow over high ground and to lower levels in the north of the UK in late autumn.”