The Met Office says snow will hit the UK on Wednesday as the weather agency also warns of wind and rain ahead of the Easter weekend. The wind warning covers all of Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as a swathe of north west England and some of north Wales.

It comes into force at 6pm on Saturday and runs until noon on Easter Sunday. The Met Office said: “A spell of very strong winds later Saturday and overnight into Easter Sunday morning may cause some damage and travel disruption.”

Some snow is also possible over northern hills, the Met Office added. The full forecast read: "Today (Wednesday) a band of rain, which will be heavy at times and accompanied by strong winds across northern Scotland, will move south eastwards, reaching northern England and north Wales by this evening. Much of the UK will be rather cloudy, though some bright or sunny spells will develop this afternoon. Temperatures will be near to or a little above average for most, and it will feel warm in any sunshine. Some snow is also possible over northern hills.

"Tonight a colder spell will set in as a cold front continues to move south eastwards, with temperatures falling as low as -5 °C in some rural areas, bringing a widespread frost. On Thursday the rain is set to clear followed by a mostly fine day. Further rain and stronger winds will then move into the northwest later."

The Met Office is also warning of heavy rain and strong winds from Friday and the rest of the Easter weekend. "Good Friday will see a fair amount of cloud with some showery outbreaks of rain that will be heavy in places, but there will also be some brighter interludes," the forecaster said. "Conditions will be blustery at times, especially in the vicinity of the Pennines. Scotland and Northern Ireland may see cooler and brighter interludes with sunny spells and showers, which will be wintry on hills," its forecast added.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley said: “A significant cold plunge from Canada into the North Atlantic will impact our weekend weather, strengthening the jet stream and spinning up a deep area of low pressure towards the northwest of the UK on Saturday night. This will lead to a spell of very strong winds later on Saturday, and overnight into the morning of Easter Sunday.

“We have issued yellow warnings for wind for Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern parts of both England and Wales for Saturday night and into Sunday, when a spell of very strong winds could cause disruption. Winds should gradually ease through Easter Sunday as the area of low pressure clears to the North Sea.

“Gusts are expected to reach 50-60 mph widely, with 60-70 mph possible in exposed locations. There is a chance of very strong winds in the west of Scotland, where gusts of 80-90 mph could be possible. Due to the warnings this weekend, we recommend keeping an eye on our latest forecasts and as the week progresses.”