Snow maps turn white as 10 UK counties hit by mega snowfall and showers in hours

A barrage of rain is set to hit the UK today, with parts of the country also being showered in snow as the day progresses, according to weather maps

Snow forecast maps turn white as parts of the UK blanketed in hours(Image: Getty)

Britain is bracing itself for a battering of snow and rain today, as weather forecasters issue warnings across the nation.

WXCharts maps predicted a deluge of rainfall will sweep across the UK, with some areas set to be hit by snow as the day wears on. Snowfall has been forecast north of Glasgow, across southwest Scotland, and in areas including Cumbria and Stoke on Trent by 6pm this evening.

While the northeast of Scotland is expected to stay dry initially, the maps suggest rain will sweep eastwards across the country as evening approaches, blanketing the region in precipitation.

As night falls, the snow is largely expected to clear from England and shift across central Scotland. The maps also reveal a faint grey patch lingering over Ipswich extending as far south as Suffolk, suggesting less than 1cm of snow per hour in those areas.

READ MORE: UK weather maps forecast snow and heavy winds to batter parts of country TONIGHTREAD MORE: Exact dates snow forecast to hit England, Scotland and Wales as -7 freeze on waySnow maps, Friday December 5 at 9pm(Image: WXCharts)

Northern Ireland may prove to be one of the few regions enjoying a break from the rainfall at that stage. Meanwhile, the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind covering much of the country, in force from noon until 7pm today, reports the Express.

The warning cautions that a “spell of strong and gusty winds” could cause disruption to transport networks and infrastructure across the affected region, with potential delays to road, rail, air and ferry services. The forecaster also warned of possible short-term power cuts and interruptions to other services.

Snow maps, Friday December 5 at 6pm.(Image: WXCharts)

The Met Office has noted that predicting snowfall remains extremely challenging, and its own forecast diverges from WXCharts’ projections. It has forecast more persistent rainfall arriving from the west during the afternoon, accompanied by strengthening winds.

The forecast also predicts that heavy rain will continue to sweep eastwards tonight, followed by clear spells and showers. In the southwest, these showers could be “locally heavy with hail and thunder”.

Here’s a list of affected counties according to WXCharts:

1. Suffolk
2. Staffordshire
3. Cumbria
4. Central scotland
5. Perth and Kinross
6. Argyll and Bute
7. Stirling
8. Dumfries and Galloway
9. South Ayrshire
10. East Ayrshire