Cold weather may sweep across the UK in just a few hours. New weather maps from forecaster WXCharts suggest snow could begin later today, possibly reaching as far south as Suffolk. According to WXCharts, snow could start around 6 pm in northern England and Scotland, including areas like the North Pennines and parts of Argyll and Bute as well as Stoke-on-Trent in central England. By around 9pm, the snow risk is shown reaching as far south as Suffolk, although the heaviest and most persistent snowfall remains concentrated over Scotland.

The heaviest snow is forecast over Scotland’s higher ground, including the Cairngorms National Park, Perth and Kinross, the Highlands and Moray-Strathdearn. Rainfall is also expected across most parts of the UK on Friday, according to the new weather maps.

Meanwhile, the Met Office paints a different picture, forecasting wet and windy conditions moving eastwards across the UK on Friday.

The forecaster predicts a cold start with any fog lifting as winds strengthen from mid-morning with showers in the northwest.

The weather is forecast to turn cloudier with more persistent rain arriving from the west during the afternoon as winds strengthen, with possible coastal gales in the west.

Tonight, the Met Office said the heavy rain will push eastwards, followed by clearer intervals and scattered showers.

Some of these showers could be intense, particularly in the southwest, where hail and even a rumble of thunder is possible. Coastal winds are expected to continue into the evening.

The Met Office has previously highlighted how challenging it is to forecast snow in the UK, especially more than a few hours in advance.

Conditions can shift very quickly, and small changes in temperature or wind direction can determine whether an area sees rain, sleet, or snow.

Even with high-resolution computer models, predicting precipitation type is difficult when temperatures hover around freezing.

Forecasters must also consider how intense the precipitation is likely to be.

Heavy bursts can cool the air enough to turn rain into snow, while lighter or patchier precipitation often melts before reaching the ground. This delicate balance makes snow prediction one of the most uncertain aspects of UK weather forecasting.