UK snow latest as huge 548-mile blizzard batters Britain in hours

New forecast maps predict snow hitting the nation this weekend (Image: WXCharts )

New weather maps show a huge band of blizzard-like conditions barreling towards Britain in the next 48 hours.

As many households will be heating up with Valentine's Day romance this today those who might not love the cold had best wrap up warm by Sunday.

Forecast predictions from WXCharts show the snow hitting on February 16 with the wintry conditions stretching more than 540 miles from Wick in the far north of Scotland to Birmingham in the West Midlands.

Although temperatures will hover around freezing for most people, a strong icy wind will make it feel more like -4C, especially on higher ground.

The bracing weather will linger over the weekend and throughout the start of next week, with clearer skies predicted across the UK from Tuesday, the Met Office said.

A map showing the wind chill factor making it feel like -4C (Image: WXCharts )

From Friday night and into Saturday, snow is likely to fall over higher ground in Scotland and northern England, with a few centimetres possible in the Grampians and in the north Pennines.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "That's not forecast to bring any real accumulation. So falling snow, nothing much.

"This is most likely over higher ground in Scotland and northern England, so the northern parts of the Pennines.

"We could see one to two centimetres in the north Pennines, potentially up to a few centimetres in the Grampians. So not huge amounts."

The spokesperson added: "We could see falling snow to lower elevations in the north of England. But it's unlikely to settle."

Weather maps show snow for large parts of the country on Sunday (Image: WXCharts )

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Mike Silverstone said: "We do see some change in our weather through the weekend, with rain in the west and the chance of snow further east over higher ground on Saturday."

The central parts of the UK may also see clearer skies on Friday morning. However, colder air from the east will bring further cloudy weather through Sunday and into early next week.

Heavy rain may also hit South Wales and south-west England on Friday, according to the forecaster.

The grey and cold weather will linger for a few more days until Tuesday next week, when the UK may finally see some sunshine.

"For a time, we've had these easterly conditions which have brought some more moist and cold air in the UK, cloudy and gloomy conditions," the Met Office added.

"As we get to Tuesday, we actually see more of a southerly track to the wind, which is bringing drier air, which will allow for some clearer skies for a time and a set of potential brighter spells at the beginning of next week."

Today:

Rather cloudy and windy across Northern Ireland, south and west Wales as well as southwest England, with some outbreaks of rain. A few showers in the far northeast. Elsewhere, early frost clearing then dry with bright spells. Another cold day.

Tonight:

Patchy rain moving northeast across the UK, giving some snow and perhaps freezing rain over some of the hills. Clear spells across the far north and southeast, with some frost.

Saturday:

Largely cloudy, cold and fairly breezy with outbreaks of rain. Some snow or freezing rain, chiefly over hills in the north. The far north and southeast seeing the best brightness.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Mostly cold and cloudy on Sunday and Monday with rain at times, especially in the north and west. Some hill snow. Brightening up from the south on Tuesday. Often breezy.