Widespread snow and extreme wind conditions are set to batter the UK from Saturday and overnight into Sunday as the Met Office issues a host of warnings for a cold and miserable Easter weekend of weather.

And the forecaster has issued advice along with its clutch of yellow weather warnings for snow and strong wind in Scotland England as well as Wales and Northern Ireland on Saturday and Sunday, urging households to prepare by stocking up on six key items.

When snow arrives, it can cause travel disruption on the roads and can cause problems at home, including power cuts, which is why forecasters urge people to prepare.

As part of its linked advice, the Met Office said: “You could be without food, heat or light if you are cut off by snow and can’t access services and amenities for a number of days. Act now and be prepared, by getting the essentials together that you could need: torches and batteries; candles and matches or lighters; plenty of blankets and warm clothing.”

The Met Office said in its yellow weather warnings for Scotland from 3pm on Saturday: “A combination of heavy rain, and snow over higher ground, may lead to some disruption in association with Storm Dave.

“Rain arriving from the south through Saturday afternoon is likely to turn to sleet and snow over hills as it meets cold air across central and northwest Scotland.

“During the evening, snow may turn heavier and, as winds increase, blizzard conditions with drifting and blowing snow are likely to lead to very poor visibility across the hills and mountains of northwest Scotland. During the evening, snow may turn heavier and, as winds increase, blizzard conditions with drifting and blowing snow are likely to lead to very poor visibility across the hills and mountains of northwest Scotland.”

For England, the Met Office warned: “Storm Dave brings a spell of very strong winds later Saturday into Easter Sunday morning which may cause some damage and travel disruption.

“A rapidly deepening area of low pressure, Storm Dave, will cross Scotland on Saturday night before clearing into the North Sea on Sunday. Whilst some uncertainty remains in the exact track and shape of Storm Dave, a spell of strong southwesterly winds is expected. Gusts of 50-60 mph are expected fairly widely with 60-70 mph in more exposed locations. The strongest winds are expected during Saturday evening where there is a small chance of gusts of 70-80 mph briefly, particularly northern England and southern Scotland. Large waves may lead to some dangerous conditions around windward coasts.”

Deputy Chief Forecaster, Tom Crabtree, said: “Storm Dave will form and rapidly deepen on Saturday as it approaches the UK from the west. By Saturday afternoon, winds will strengthen significantly, with gusts of 60-70mph expected at times across parts of Scotland, with the potential for gusts of 80-90mph in exposed coastal locations in Scotland. Gusts of 50-60mph are likely more widely in northern Britain.

“As well as strong winds, Storm Dave will also bring heavy snowfall over the hills in northern Scotland where up to 10-20cm of snow could accumulate. Along with the strong winds this will lead to blizzard conditions. Elsewhere there will be heavy spells of rain as the system moves through eastwards across the UK. With Storm Dave a few days away, people should prepare their property for the strong winds and keep updated with the latest weather forecast as the weather warnings are likely to be updated.”