UK snow updates LIVE as Met Office issue two 'severe' weather warnings

People are being warned ahead of two 'severe' weather warnings coming into place for Greater Manchester and large parts of the UK.

The Met Office has issued a number of weather warnings for snow across the weekend, affecting the majority of the UK. People are being warned to expect 'severe' travel disruptions, power outages and 'a good chance that rural communities could become cut off'.

An amber snow and ice warning is in force from 6pm today (January 4) until 12pm on Sunday (January 5). It affects Greater Manchester, alongside large swathes of Wales, the East Midlands, Cheshire and Merseyside and the South West.

"Snow will become persistent and locally heavy as it pushes south to north across the warning area," it says. "As well as snow, a period of freezing rain is also likely bringing some hazardous travel conditions, before milder air follows across all areas by Sunday morning."

A second amber warning for snow is also in place from 9pm today until 11.59pm on Sunday. It covers Greater Manchester and much of northern England.

"Snow will reach the south of the warning area later Saturday, then spread north across the rest of the area through Sunday morning," it says.

"Snow will be persistent and heavy at times, and will likely drift in brisk easterly winds, especially over higher ground. Much of the warning area can expect 3-7 cm of snow. Areas above about 150 m will likely see 15-30 cm, with 40 cm for ground above 300 m, before snow begins to ease and clear by the end of Sunday."

A less-severe yellow weather warning for snow and ice is also in place covering much of England and Wales, which comes into force from 12pm today until 11.59pm on Sunday.

Follow live updates below for the latest weather updates.

A Met