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UK braced for Arctic blast

The UK was today braced for an Arctic blast as blizzard conditions and freezing temperatures were predicted to envelope much of Scotland and England.

Several weather warnings are in place and motoring organisations have warned that the snowy conditions could create hazardous driving conditions on the roads.

Snow was already falling at 10am this morning in parts of eastern Scotland and north east England as the weather front moved in from the Arctic.

The freezing conditions are expected to spread down the east coast of the UK today and tomorrow with widespread snowfall across much of the UK on Sunday morning.

Temperatures in central and northern England will plunge as low as -3 Celsius tonight and -4 tomorrow night with as much as 10 centimetres of snow expected in some areas.

Julian Mayes, senior forecaster of MeteoGroup UK, the weather division of the Press Association, said the UK was in for a snap of cold weather with "bitingly cold winds."

The South West, west Wales and Northern Ireland should miss out on the snowy conditions tomorrow but will still have to contend with freezing temperatures.

Mr Mayes said: "On Sunday morning most places in the eastern half of Britain will start with snow.

"Some will come down heavily with several centimetres of cover on the ground.

"It will accumulate quickly but it will be a transient feature as it will begin to turn to rain."

Mr Mayes said that high ground in eastern Scotland could experience as much as 10 centimetres of snow.

The Met Office has issued a weather advisory for northern Scotland today and Suffolk and Norfolk tomorrow.

The AA have advised motorists to only drive as fast as conditions would allow and to be aware of the greater stopping distances required in ice and snow.

AA Patrol of the Year Andy Taylor explained: "Make sure you check local weather and traffic conditions before setting off and if conditions are particularly bad, don't travel.

"You should also make sure you carry an emergency kit in your car - including de-icers, ice scrapers and spare warm clothing or blankets - so you don't get caught out if conditions change suddenly."

The charity Age Concern has warned elderly people to take extra care to stay warm as temperatures plummet.

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, said: "With predictions of snow and very strong winds for this weekend we are urging vulnerable older people, who are more susceptible to the cold, to take extra precautions to stay warm and well.

"Older people can help keep warm during this cold snap by wrapping up well with several layers of clothes and staying as active as possible.

"Eating good, healthy meals will also help to provide energy throughout the day and sipping hot drinks will also help.

A cold snap in late November would traditionally herald the start of winter proper but this year has already proved an exception with snow blanketing parts of the south east of England, including London in late October.

The freak snowfall on the night of 28 October has already been described by forecasters as the most outstanding example of early snowfall in the south east of England since 1880 and has seen some bookmakers slashing their odds on a white Christmas.

Bookmakers William Hill have reported record betting levels already and have cuts the odds on snow falling on Christmas Day in London from 8/1 to 6/1 and Glasgow is now as short as 7/2.

William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said: "We have never had so much money in the book with over a month to go.

"If it snows we will be paying out millions to our customers."

Source: Indpendent