Saturday will bring a largely dry and bright start for many areas, with plenty of sunshine and light winds offering a crisp but pleasant feel. Early on, a few coastal wintry showers may linger across northern and eastern shores, but these will gradually fade. Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are in place. Most places will enjoy clear skies through the morning, though it will remain cold with temperatures struggling to rise far.

As the day progresses, high cloud will begin to thicken from the west, signalling a change in conditions later on. By the afternoon and into the evening, a band of rain will approach western parts, accompanied by freshening winds. For the Northern Isles, this system is likely to bring a mix of rain, sleet and hill snow. Elsewhere, the daylight hours should remain mostly dry, but the increasing cloud will be a notable feature as the next spell of unsettled weather edges closer.

Saturday night begins with clear skies in the east, allowing temperatures to fall quickly and an early frost to form. Cloud will thicken from the west as a band of rain, sleet and snow moves eastwards across the UK. Snow is most likely over northern areas and higher ground, where significant accumulations are possible. However, some temporary snow to lower levels is also possible on the leading edge before the precipitation turns back to rain.

It will become windy for many, with a risk of coastal gales, especially in exposed western locations. Behind the main band of rain, clearer spells and showers will follow, and conditions will turn milder in western areas by dawn.

Outlook for Sunday

A broad band of rain, heavy at times, will sweep eastwards across all parts on Sunday. Ahead of this, some snow may develop, mainly over high ground from northern England northwards, though parts of eastern and northeastern England and eastern Scotland could see temporary low‑level snow.

Showers will follow from the west later, some heavy with a risk of thunder. Winds will be moderate to fresh, occasionally strong along coasts, particularly in the far northeast. An early frost is possible in the north and east, with temperatures by day remaining near or slightly below average, though the far south may feel a little milder.

Met Office presenter and meteorologist, Aidan McGivern, said: “Many parts of the UK are below freezing as we begin Saturday, giving a crisp but bright start to the day. Widespread sunshine is expected first thing, with just a couple of exceptions. Some sleety showers may be blown onto the east coast of England early on, and one or two showers could also affect parts of Pembrokeshire and North Wales. These will fade away through the morning.

“Further west, the sunshine will turn increasingly hazy as thicker cloud rolls in towards the end of the day. The breeze will freshen as well. Despite the sunshine, it will feel colder than recent days, with temperatures widely between 4 and 6°C. Even so, under bright skies and light winds it will feel perfectly pleasant, especially after the relentless rain many areas have seen lately.

“Colder air remains in place as the next weather system approaches. As this bumps into the cold air, there is the chance of snow, mostly over northern hills, though not exclusively. Wet weather will push into Northern Ireland during Saturday afternoon and evening, reaching western Scotland by around 8pm. Parts of Wales and the southwest will see rain set in by around 10pm. If you’re heading out on Valentine’s Day evening, be prepared for increasingly wet conditions in the west. Winds will strengthen, with gales possible in coastal areas.

“It will feel unpleasant at times, with a cold edge to the air and some snow mixing in on the leading edge of the rain, especially over higher ground. The deepest snow is most likely across the hills of Wales, northern England and much of Scotland, where some disruption is possible. A brief spell of snow at lower levels can’t be ruled out early on Sunday, although most of this will occur overnight as temperatures begin to rise from the west. As the system moves through, much of the snow will turn back to rain at lower levels, and for southern counties it will be almost entirely rain. Expect around 8°C in Cornwall, with 1-2°C in eastern parts of the UK to start Sunday.”

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