Major storm raises threat of snow and 100mph winds

A FRESH storm is set to batter the country with snow, forcing bookies to slash the chances of a white Christmas.

A huge Atlantic depression is laying siege to the UK, bringing biting gales, and a chilly coating of snow for some.

Gusts could hit a bracing 70mph in the west of Scotland and 100mph in the Highlands today.

Snow flurries in northern England are also expected, as are high winds in the south of England, especially along the coast.

The chilly spell could last a fortnight, just as shops are gearing up for the Christmas rush.

Filotas Paschos, of the Met Office, said: “It’s not going to be the best, that’s for sure.

“We expect a band of rain to arrive from the south-west, affecting areas in the south of Scotland on Sunday morning and into the afternoon.

“North of the central belt, rain is expected to turn quickly to snow.

“Areas above 150 metres in parts of Argyll, Angus and Perth and Kinross will see strong concentrations of snow. At lower levels, this will fall mostly as sleet.”

A warning of high winds has been issued for southern Scotland, which will see them reaching between 50 and 60mph.

Winds will ease in the south as this evening arrives and overnight the temperature will drop below zero.

In higher areas there could be up to half a metre of snow by the end of the weekend.

The Met Office issued a yellow “be aware” weather warning because of the high winds expected.

The warning means motorists should be braced for disruption and take particular care while driving.

The coming storm will be named Clodagh by the Met Office if the winds are as fierce as feared.

The Met Office added: “A powerful jet stream will drive several areas of low pressure across the UK over the coming days.”

MeteoGroup forecaster John Lee agrees things are turning wintry, “with no calm interludes”.

Some Scottish councils have been forced to cancel Christmas lights turning-on events due to the threat of high wind and snow.

The weather has also seen a flurry of bets on a white Christmas according to Ladbrokes.

Aberdeen and Inverness are the most fancied sites to receive a flurry at just 7/4 apiece, while Edinburgh isn’t far behind with odds of 2/1.