Welcome to winter: Snow forecast for Yorkshire

Large parts of the region could be hit by wintery showers as forecasters said the whole of eastern England is at risk. It added north-east Scotland could face heavy snow and overnight temperatures of minus 9C (15.8F).

Gemma Plumb, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "It's going to turn increasingly cold next week and then, from Wednesday, showers are going to turn to sleet and snow, especially in northern Scotland and eastern parts of England.

Ms Plumb said Scotland would see heavy snow of up to 6in (15cm), while Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and East Anglia could expect "significant snow accumulations" but she did not estimate the depth.

Temperatures across the East of England could fall to minus 6C (21.2F) from the middle of next week, she said.

She added that the west of Wales could also see sleet and snow as a result of cold winds off the Atlantic.

The capital is expected to be spared the worst of the harsh weather.

Ms Plumb said: "It will be very cold in London and I couldn't rule out a few sleet or snow showers but we're not expecting any significant accumulations of snow there."

The Met Office said there would likely be snow on the North Yorkshire Moors, with freezing temperatures a certainty throughout the region.

Sleet and wintry showers were guaranteed and hazardous conditions for motorists were said to be possible.

Met Office spokesman Alex Fox said: "Snow is a risk certainly for Yorkshire, as the wind moves from a north-easterly to a northern direction.

"From Wednesday onwards wintry weather is likely. The North Yorkshire Moors, with its close proximity to the coast, should see some snowfall.

"It could be significant in places and lead to localised disruption. High ground is most likely place to see some snow, with the Pennines also at risk.

"It will definitely be colder over the next week."

Night-time temperatures in cities such as Leeds, Sheffield and Bradford are expected to drop below zero from Wednesday onwards. Wind speeds of up to 25mph have been forecast in Northallerton.

Last winter was the most severe for 30 years and many Yorkshire councils struggled to find the grit needed to keep the region's road network operating. Many authorities have increased their reserves of road salt this year to avoid a repeat.