Weather forecast live: The Met Office issues a snow warning this week as heavy rain hits Scotland

Today there is a yellow warning for snow and ice across northern Scotland.

Snow is likely to cause disruption across the Shetland Islands with a warning in place from 3am to 3pm today.

An ice warning has been put in place across northern Scotland as meteorologists warn of injuries caused by dangerous slippery surfaces.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snowfall in parts of England and Wales this week.

Winter rains will fall on the regions during the early hours of Thursday morning and continue until the early hours of Friday morning.

“A band of rain, sleet and snow will move increasingly northwards on Thursday with up to 2cm of snow at low levels, 2-5cm on the ground above 200m, and possibly up to 10-20cm above 400m,” the Met Office said. He said.

The warning affects the East Midlands, East England, North East England, North West England, Wales, West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber.

The snowfall and icy conditions expected for this week are the result of the 'collision of air masses' taking place across the UK this week.

As the cold Arctic air pushes in from the north, it will collide with the temperate Atlantic air mass coming from the south, bringing snowfall in the central part of the country.

A yellow warning was issued for up to 20cm of “disturbing snow” on Thursday.

Chris Almond, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “From Thursday, the threat of snow becomes more influential, as mild air tries to return from the south, colliding with cold air and increasing the chance of snow on the leading edge. He said.

There are two yellow weather warnings in force in the UK today.

The Shetland Islands are under a yellow snow warning until 3pm with “frequent snow showers or prolonged periods of snow” affecting the area, according to the Met Office.

The forecaster also warned of possible delays in air and land travel.

Northern parts of Scotland are under a yellow weather warning for icy patches until 9am.

Here is a map of the affected areas.

A band of rain falling to the north is expected to gradually move south today, giving way to cooler conditions and snowfall.

The Met Office said rain was expected across most of western Scotland and then England and Wales today, with rainfall totals likely to be higher in western areas.

The far south of England will remain dry, breezy, largely cloudy and mild during the day but the rain is expected to move in by the end of the day after drenching other parts.

The Shetland Archipelago is under a yellow snow warning, while most of Scotland is under a yellow ice warning, as cold air dominates northern parts from today.

Temperatures could drop to -10C in rural areas of Scotland on Wednesday evening, although it will be cooler further south.

While there are currently three weather warnings in place, the Met Office said warnings are likely to be issued and amended during the week, with a chance of ice warnings still present for some.

There are currently three weather warnings in place this week, with heavy rain, snow and ice expected to hit the country.

Up to 20cm of snow could accumulate on higher ground as a band of cold air moves north on Thursday.

The Met Office said there was an “increasing signal of winter risk” this week.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist Chris Almond said: “While the first part of this week will see some rain, heavy at times, gradually sloping towards the south, there is an increasing signal of winter risks as we move through the week as cold air from the north moves over the UK. .

“Beginning Thursday, the snow threat becomes more influential, as milder air attempts to return from the south, colliding with cold air and increasing the chance of snow on the leading edge.

“While there are still many details to work out, the initial risk of snow appears higher in northern England and Wales from Thursday.

“1-2cm to low levels is possible, with a possibility of 10-20cm above the highest surface within the warning area. This snow is likely to gradually turn to sleet and rain later from the south.”

Since the storm designation was introduced in 2015, the farthest the group has gotten on the list is number 11, Storm Katy, which affected the UK in March 2016.

As the Met Office issued an ice warning for Scotland on Tuesday, with more warnings likely to appear as temperatures drop, NHS officials advised people to “waddle like penguins” to avoid “slips and tumbles”.

Staff from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) were filmed strutting outside as they demonstrated the best way to avoid injury in the cold conditions.

NHSGGC said: “Penguin walking is a safer way to get around in cold weather because it can help keep you stable and reduce the risk of losing balance or slipping on the ice.”

Here are some tips for walking like a penguin – according to NHS experts:

• Bend slightly and keep your knees relaxed

• Point your feet slightly outward

• Extend your arms out to your sides

• Walk with flat feet, and take short steps

• Keep your center of gravity above your feet