Up to 10 inches of snow predicted to hit the Highlands by the end of next week
WEATHER forecasters have predicted Inverness and the Highlands could be under snow as deep as 10 inches by the end of next week.
Both Scotland and northern England are expected to be hardest hit, by what could be a 40-day freeze, as an Arctic blast brings with it frost and snow.
The worst of the snow is set to settle in the Highlands and it is expected to be up to 11.5 inches by December 18 according to Weathertrending.
A severe Yellow rain warning has been issued by the Met Office for Scotland from 6am on Thursday until noon on Friday this week.
The persistent heavy rain is expected to lead to dangerous icy conditions as temperatures drop below zero.
Showers are likely to produce some localised flooding and travel disruption – bus and train services are likely to be affected with journey times taking longer – as well as some minor interruptions to power supplies and other services are possible.
According to the BBC weather page snow has been forecast for the Inverness area on both Thursday, December 12, and Sunday, December 15.
Leon Brown, head of meteorological operations at the Weather Company, told the Express there could be a prolonged period of icy conditions.
He said: "Thirty to 40 days with snow or ice disruption are expected this winter in Scotland and parts of northern England.
"After cold spells in December, more sustained cold is expected during January and February."
With an icy wind expected in the next few days experts have predicted it could feel as cold as -12C.
The forecast follows earlier predictions of snow, which were made late last month by Netweather TV.
For the latest details on the Met Office's warning for heavy rain on Thursday and Friday, visit the Met Office weather warning page.
