For context: An amber weather warning means there is an increased likelihood of bad weather affecting you, which could potentially disrupt your plans and possibly cause travel delays, road and rail closures, interruption to power and the potential risk to life and property.

Large parts of the country will face disruption from heavy snow and freezing rain over the weekend after forecasters issued two amber weather warnings. Stranded vehicles on the roads, delayed or cancelled rail and air travel and power cuts are all likely as the UK grapples with a week-long spell of wintry conditions, the Met Office said.

It’s the type of winter weather we see more frequently and don’t really have a tough time identifying. Snowflakes are able to reach the ground – and not turn into freezing rain or sleet – when the temperature is at or below 32 degrees from the cloud base to the ground.

Disruption to travel is expected as National Rail warns line closures may be in place today as some sporting fixtures are postponed.

Northern Europe is facing freezing temperatures and snow, boosting heating demand and putting more pressure on the region’s depleting gas inventories.

Heavy snow and ice is expected to cause disruption across Scotland over the weekend, with temperatures forecast to drop as low as -10C. A yellow alert for ice is in place across almost all of the country until 10:00 on Saturday,