Snow britain
UK Snow dusts the Commando Memorial in Spean Bridge, Scotland, in January 2017 Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The Met Office have issued a severe weather warning for London and the south-east of England this weekend as the first wave of snow is predicted to fall on Friday evening. The first wave of snow could hit the capital as early as Friday evening.

Public Health England and the AA have joined the Met Office in warning travellers and the elderly to plan carefully for the weekend ahead.

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Yesterday (9 February) Yorkshire and Norfolk experienced settling snow while sleety snowflakes were reported in the South-East of England. Last night Arctic winds swept across the UK - many will have woken this morning to icy cars and road surfaces.

The Met Office are currently forecasting sustained snowfall in London during the early hours of Saturday morning. They have also warned that daytime temperatures of around 2C will feel much colder because of bitter Easterly winds.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist Richard Young, said: "There's been a notable dip in temperatures across the UK this week and we could see the coldest night of the winter on Friday night if skies are clear as forecast in North West Scotland.

"With this easterly air flow and a chance of some snow showers it will feel very cold this weekend, especially on Sunday, along the south coast where wind chill will make it feel more like -4°C during the day, so wrap up warm."

Parts of Scotland could see as much as 10cm of snow over the weekend with overnight temperatures dropping as low as -12C in the highlands.

Families are urged to make sure their relatives have a good supply of food and medicine in anticipation of the destabilizing weather.

Mark Shankland from AA Tyres said: "Firstly, prepare for the worst. Ensure there's plenty of charge on your mobile, ample fuel in the tank, you're carrying food, water, warm clothes, torch, blankets and a first-aid kit."

Dr Thomas Waite, from Public Health England's Extreme Events team, said: "With more cold weather on the way now is the time to really think how it could impact you and your family, particularly those who are very young, over 65 or who have heart and lung conditions.

"Whenever temperatures drop more people become seriously ill, including pneumonia, heart attacks and strokes – that's why it's so important we all think what we can do for those at risk now."