Met Office announces full list of areas set for snow on Thursday in England, Scotland and Wales

Forecasters and meteorologists are anticipating rain - with high totals - alongside an ice warning in the North East of England, where temperatures plunge into Thursday morning with sub-zero totals.

The Met Office has warned fresh snow in parts of the UK today - with less cold air from the west being swept in, albeit with showers and high winds. Forecasters and meteorologists are anticipating rain - with high totals - alongside an ice warning in the North East of England, where temperatures plunge into Thursday morning with sub-zero totals.

Wednesday evening was dry for eastern counties but the band of rain has slipped towards the Midlands, with cold air turning to snow around 400m, meteorologist Clare Nasir said. A chilly start to the day is expected - still wet with cold winds for western areas - and 110m of rain in the Brecon Beacons and Aberdeenshire in Wales and Scotland too.

"If you're stepping out, watch out over high routes with snow there," Ms Nasir said. Heavy rain is expected to arrive early on Thursday and then persist for much of the day. Whilst some snow is expected to fall initially over higher ground, this should tend to turn to rain which will then steadily thaw lying snow.

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30-50 mm of rain is likely to fall widely with potential peaks over hills of 80-110 mm. Rain will be accompanied by strong southeasterly winds. Further heavy rain is possible in similar areas on Friday but this aspect is currently unclear. Ms Nasir said: "There'll be wintry showers on higher routes - so tricky driving conditions."

Ms Nasir said: "Warnings for rain are in place throughout Thursday - also an ice warning from the northern isles to border regions and north east England. There's a risk of flooding as well, with 18mm over the next 12 hours expected in some areas. It's a wet and it's a windy start with snow REMAINING over higher ground.

"The air remains cold. Showery bursts also across Northern Ireland, central and southern England - and a mostly cloudy morning with fairly strong gales and gale-force winds over coastal areas." Where warnings for rain are in effect, some communities may be cut off by flooded roads.

Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures, too, the Met Office says. Possible power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses. Homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings, too.