Snow, gales and hail to batter UK this weekend » Environment » 24dash.com

Arctic winds are set to batter the UK at the weekend bringing snow, gales and hail storms.

The whole of the country can expect to see snow and subzero temperatures when warm weather from the west changes to a cold front coming in from the Arctic.

Scotland and the north of England will be worst hit but forecaster Brendan Jones of MeteoGroup UK, the weather division of the Press Association, says the whole of the UK can expect snow and freezing winds from tomorrow night.

In recent weeks, the temperature has risen to a spring-like 14C (57F).

Temperatures will plummet from the high of 14C (57F) to minus 4C (25F) in a cold spell expected to last until well into next week.

Wildlife experts said animals such as moles, bats and hedgehogs that woke early from hibernation because of the unseasonal heat could be at risk of starvation because of the snow.

Mr Jones said: "Tomorrow night everything switches around and the north especially will become very cold.

"Through Sunday very strong northerly winds will bring snow showers to Scotland and the north of England.

"Higher ground will be worst affected but even in low lying parts of Scotland there will be a good covering of snow.

"Anywhere in the UK could catch snow here and there and even in the south of England it will drop to minus 4C (25F), enough for a deep frost."

He said the Welsh and east of England coasts can also expect heavy snow showers and hail.

There will also be snow inland across England and Wales, but because the sun is getting stronger the snow is not expected to settle.

David Frost, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce, called for the necessary steps to be taken this weekend to keep the country's transport infrastructure working.

He said: "We're urging the Highways Agency and train operating companies to ensure that they learn from the past and take the necessary measures to keep Britain moving.

"UK workers face a daily ordeal in order to get to work due to overcrowded, delayed or cancelled trains. Let's learn from the mistakes of the last snowfall by minimising, not adding to, their misery.

"This can be done by ensuring that roads are gritted and the trains are kept running so that this time Britain really can keep moving, no matter the weather."

Copyright Press Association 2007

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