Many areas of the UK are facing blizzard conditions on Friday as this recent spell of wintry weather is forecast to intensify.

The Meteorological Office today issued an amber weather alert for heavy snow in the West Midlands, London and South East England, the East Midlands and also Wales and the South West. In other areas of the country, forecasters are cautioning that there may be icy conditions as temperatures plummet.

The Met Office’s amber weather alert, applicable from 1am to 11am tomorrow morning, warns that outbreaks of rain may well turn to snow in the early hours throughout parts of the Midlands and Wales, moving gradually more into southern England.

The snow will probably build up as time passes, particularly on higher ground but lower areas will not escape the accumulation of snow and there is a likelihood of travel disruption during the Friday morning rush hour and beyond. The public are advised that extra care should be taken tomorrow.

The icy conditions may well continue throughout the coming weekend and the expected storm may deliver gale-force winds as it hits the south coast of England.

The Met Office said that the unsettled weather we are expecting for the next few days could possibly bring in a variety of hazards throughout the country, snow and ice as well as heavy rain together with strong winds.