THE Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow, gales and ice across large areas today as Britain is hit by an Arctic blast.

Winds up to 75mph and blizzards dumping four inches of snow are forecast in the worst hit places this morning – with more to come next week.

Western Scotland is expected to get the strongest winds but 50mph is likely elsewhere, potentially felling trees and damaging buildings.

Snow will fall even on lower ground in Scotland, with up to four inches on higher ground, blocking some roads and railways.

Forecasters said at lower levels there is a risk of icy and slushy surfaces which could cause dangerous travel conditions.

There have already been several crashes reported on motorways near Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Road Policing Scotland tweeted: "Lots of weather-related collisions already being reported this morning on the M8, M9 and M90 just to name a few.

"Please drive to the prevailing road and weather conditions.

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"Look well ahead and increase your following distance to account for any increased stopping distance."

The ice warning covers Northern Ireland and says crashes are more likely, especially on untreated roads.

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The yellow warnings are in place until lunchtime, meaning drivers can expect chaos this morning.

It comes after the latest weather maps show the UK will be hit with snow for 12 days straight thanks to a prolonged Arctic blast.

The south can also expect snow next week as temperatures fall to -7C in parts.

On February 16, most of the west coast down to Cornwall will see flurries and it will continue towards the end of the month.

The Met Office forecast says: "On Friday, wintry showers likely to affect northern areas, becoming lighter and less frequent through the day, while elsewhere expected to be dry with plenty of sunshine.

"Windy in the North initially, elsewhere likely much lighter than previous days.

"Heavy rain may return to the northwest and windy for most, with gales possible in the west and northwest at the weekend.

"Through the rest of this period high pressure will likely dominate across most of the UK.

"Rainfall will be limited at first with a risk of some wintry showers in the north and east, with an increasing chance of rain in western and Northwestern areas later.

"Temperatures likely to be near average with the potential for a brief colder interlude for northern and eastern parts."

Bookmaker Coral has cut the odds of snow falling on Valentine's Day. It is now odds-on at 4-5, down from 5-4.

And the bookies rate it a 6-4 chance it'll be the coldest on record in the UK.

"It could be a frosty Valentine's Day for many people on Monday, as our odds suggest there is a good chance snow will fall," said Coral's John Hill.

"With temperatures dropping below freezing point, the odds have also been cut for Monday to be the coldest Valentine's Day on record in the UK."

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