Rare ‘thundersnow’ to strike UK as Met Office map reveals 41 locations covered by warnings in -11C cold snap

BRITS are braced for a potential outbreak of “thundersnow” as temperatures continue to plunge.

Last night, motorists were forced to abandon their vehicles and villages were cut off following heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures.

And today, gusty gales and showers are expected as the UK looks set to be affected by the wintry elements.

Up to 10 inches of snow could fall on higher ground as the mercury plummets to as low as -11C.

The North York Moors and the Scottish Highlands could see blizzard conditions – or ‘thundersnow’ – fall today following a harsh Arctic wind yesterday which could move across the north of Scotland, the Met Office has warned.

Thundersnow – also known as a thunder snowstorm – is a basically a type of storm with snow falling instead of rain.

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It happens during a snowstorm and is caused when the atmosphere is unstable.

The forecaster also warned the phenomenon may appear in Northern Ireland, eastern England, west Wales and south-west England, Aberdeen Live reports.

It comes after the Met Office issued a severe amber weather warning – covering a large swathe of the North East of England – until 9pm tonight.

The Met Office said of the amber alert: “Frequent wintry showers will feed inland from the North Sea, giving significant snow accumulations over the North York Moors and parts of the Yorkshire Wolds.

“By the end of Thursday, as much as 15-25 cm may have accumulated on hills above 100 m elevation, which is likely to cause substantial disruption.

“Gusty winds, giving occasional blizzard conditions, and perhaps a few lightning strikes, may accompany some of the showers, posing as additional hazards.”

“Frequent wintry showers, leading to significant snow accumulations, are likely to cause disruption.”

A growing list of school closures is in place this morning across Scotland, due to the hazardous conditions.

Six further yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are also in place today, covering coastal areas, as well as much of Scotland.

The UK Health Security Agency has also issued amber and yellow cold-health alerts, which remain in place until Saturday across northern England and the Midlands.

Yesterday, Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong warned Brits of the arrival of “cold Arctic air” from the north.

He said: “Cold Arctic air from the north is firmly in charge of the UK’s weather… bringing the first notable cold snap of this autumn and giving an early taste of winter weather.

“As a result, winter hazards are likely through the next few days, with snow and ice a particular hazard.”

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On Wednesday evening, abandoned vehicles littered isolated roads due to heavy snow and the sub zero temperatures.

Shocking footage showed dozens of vehicles driving through blizzard-like conditions as darkness fell across the county.