Will you be waking up to snow?

STORM-FORCE winds will tear across the country this week, bringing up to eight inches of snow in some areas.

The most widespread severe weather is expected tomorrow night into Thursday morning, with winds of up to 70mph and 80mph gusts likely.

Snow has been forecast for Scotland and Northern Ireland from this morning until tomorrow, with up to three inches at low levels, and eight inches on hills and mountains. Hail and lightning could disrupt power supplies.

Snow is also forecast throughout today until 11am tomorrow in Wales, the West and East Midlands, Yorkshire and northern England, with more than two inches expected on high ground.

A Met Office warning, issued for the whole of England and Wales, Northern Ireland and southern Scotland, says: ‘There is the potential for gusts of 60 to 70mph quite widely and a small chance of winds reaching 80mph in places. A spell of heavy rain can also be expected.’

A spokesman added: ‘We have a very unsettled picture for the rest of this week, particularly with the low-pressure system coming in from the Atlantic on Wednesday into Thursday. Beforehand, showery conditions will be widespread, and could be wintry. In between, some places may receive spells of sunshine.’

The snow and high winds could lead to travel delays and disruption to power supplies, the Met Office warned. ÷ Rescuers who searched overnight in atrocious weather for a man on a 3,000ft Snowdonia peak found a body at the foot of a gully yesterday morning.

Mountain rescue teams scoured Tryfan for the man in his 30s from North Wales who was reported missing on Sunday night. His body was found at 10.30am. He is thought to have fallen from the West Face.