A WEATHER warning for snow has been issued by the Met Office this week with significant disruption expected on Thursday and Friday.

The yellow warning, covering much of Scotland and northern England, is in place from 3am on March 9 to 6pm on March 10.

Heavy snow is expected with a small chance that long delays and cancellations on transport services could occur.

There is also a slight chance that road may become blocked by deep snow and that communities could be cut off for several days.

Snow could develop widely across the country with parts of Scotland and northern England expected to see the worst of conditions on Friday.

There could be 5-10cm of snow even at low elevations while higher parts of the central belt could see as much as 30-40cm of snow in places.

In addition, the Met Office said there is a potential for strong winds, which may lead to blizzard conditions and drifting of lying snow.

It comes as a major change in the weather is underway for the UK, the Met Office said at the start of the week.

Cold air is expected to move in from the north, bringing snow, ice and low temperatures.

Warnings of snow and ice are also in place for the days prior, but the central belt is not included in the warning area.

However, further warnings are likely to be issued throughout the week.

Dan Suri, chief meteorologist, said: “Snow, ice and low temperatures are the main themes of this week’s forecast, as the UK comes under the influence of an arctic maritime airmass as cold air moves in from the north.

“Snow is already falling in parts of the north where some travel disruption likely, as well as a chance of some rural communities being cut off.”

Outdoor enthusiasts are also being warned that conditions could change rapidly.

James Coles, leader at Moffat Mountain Rescue, added: “The UK is entering a period of increasingly challenging weather conditions with snow, ice and gusty winds all featuring prominently in the forecast for the coming week.

“Upland areas, especially in the mountains, can see conditions change very rapidly and they may be markedly different from surrounding lowland areas.”