Play all audios:
A wintry snap has returned to the UK this week, as Storm Gareth swept in with blustery winds and a dip in the mercury. Now it seems the temperatures will plunge even further, as snow is
forecast to blanket parts of the country this weekend. St Patrick’s weekend is expected to be a washout as a so-called “Beast from the West” brings travel chaos with heavy rain and fierce
gales. Six Met Office weather warnings have been issued today covering almost every inch of the UK, with snow, ice and heavy rain expected over the weekend. The incoming storm - named Storm
Hannah - cause prove to be life-threatening, with the risk of widespread road and rail disruption along with the threat of flooding and heavy blizzards. Met Office meteorologist Luke Miall
said: "We've got quite a few weather warnings in place for today across the UK. "In Scotland we are likely to see a good covering of snow above 200 metres or so where we could
see 2cm to 6cm and perhaps as much as 10cm above 400 metres. "It's mainly higher ground but that will affect some of the routes that travel across the Highlands and central parts
of Scotland. "The other warning we have in force is for wind and that covers pretty much everywhere from north-west England down through Wales and then southern counties of England
including London. "Here we will see some pretty strong winds through the day gusting 45mph to 55mph quite widely within that area. "The reason for all this is we have an area of
low pressure which is moving its way in and that will continue crossing Northern Ireland and parts of southern Scotland." The 500-mile wide storm was dubbed the 'Beast from the
West' by forecasters from the Weather Outlook. In Scotland, a Met Office yellow warning for snow has been issued - which will expire at 9pm tonight. Forecasters said up to four inches
of snow was possible on the hills on Saturday but no more than a "transient slushy covering" was expected at low levels such as the central lowlands. However, up to 2.5in is
expected at between 200m and 300m above sea level with more possible at higher levels. An ice warning is also in place between 9pm on Saturday and 9.30am on Sunday morning. Police Scotland
issued a warning to motorists, saying: "There is a yellow weather warning in place for many parts of the country today and many areas are waking up to wintry weather conditions.
"Take care on the roads and be prepared for your journey. Slow down and drive to the conditions." Forecasts predicting strong winds and heavy snowfall could make this the coldest
March ever recorded, according to Ladbrokes. With snow soon set to blanket Britain, the bookies have cut odds to just 7/4 on this being a record-breaking month on the weather front. Alex
Apati of Ladbrokes said: "Storms have hit the UK left, right and centre so far this year and with heavy snow now seemingly on the way, we could be in for a record-breaking March."