Temperatures are plummeting this evening with snow forecast from early hours

Formby and Merseyside is braced for 14 hours of heavy snow. Highways England has issued a severe weather alert - which actually comes into force from 3am.

The organisation said: "As a result of the forecast, we have issued a severe weather alert for snow for Sunday, December 10, between 3am and 6pm.

Snow warnings remain in place until 11.55pm on Sunday though, with experts forecasting the region could be worst hit over the 14 hours from 4am.

This Evening and Tonight:

A band of persistent rain, sleet and snow will move into central parts overnight, with some heavy snow for Wales and the Midlands. Further north there'll be clear spells and isolated wintry showers. Gales developing in the south by morning. With a temperature of -9 ºC recorded at Dalwhinnie, this makes it the coldest night of Autumn/Winter 2017 so far (an it's only just gone 8pm...)

Sunday:

Further significant snowfall across central areas through the day giving large snow accumulations in places. Less cold with local gales in the south. Scotland mainly dry, bright and cold.