Heavy snow warning: Met Office alerts Britain to suffer POWER CUTS as Arctic blast wreaks havoc on UK

The Met Office has warned that the UK could face power cuts as an Arctic blast batters the country with snow and subzero temperatures.

Yellow and amber warnings were distributed nationwide as the Met Office warned that travel delays and power cuts are likely.

Mobile phone coverage could also be affected by the weather, leaving people cut off from the rest of the world.

It said: “Accumulations of 10 to 15 cm are possible in places in a short space of time and snow will be drifting in the strong to gale force north to northwesterly winds.

“Isolated thunderstorms are possible with lightning strikes an additional hazard. Showers will turn more to rain or sleet around coasts later with ice developing on untreated surfaces.”

Motorists have been warned to only travel if “absolutely essential” as the freezing weather is likely to lead to a number of road accidents as untreated road surfaces freeze over.

Scots have been warned that some roads may need to close entirely as a result of the weather.

An amber weather warning was issued to Scotland who will see the worst of the weather.

Last night, North Yorkshire saw temperatures drop as low as -9.8C.

The RAC said: “Ice, and in some areas snow, are the biggest risks for drivers this week – particularly on stretches of road that haven’t been treated.

“It’s vital everyone slows down and gives themselves time to plenty of time to brake and react in the event something unexpected happens.”