Snow: Met Office details exact locations Brits will see wintry weather in 'proper cold push'

will fall on Saturday - but only across regions in , the has today confirmed.

But meteorologists are on red alert for flurries further south because temperatures could get colder still throughout this miserable weekend, the service says.

It was -2.1C in Shap, Cumbria on Wednesday, and . With an Arctic wind set to sweep southwards from Friday, the weather will be icy, wet and, in some spots, snowy across the weekend, say forecasters.

Alex Deakin, a Met Office meteorologist, said around 4cm of snow will fall across three hours on Saturday afternoon across the Scottish Highlands, parts of Aberdeenshire and some parts of Stirling. He added: "It is only really across Scotland... Obviously, it wouldn't take much of a swing and for that air to be a bit colder when that air comes in for snow to be seen at lower levels, but at this stage it is looks like it is just going to be snow on the hills in Scotland."

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The weather service says the forecast is significant because it is the "proper cold push we have seen" this winter - although the season hasn't actually started yet. Mr Deakin said: "Because it has been so mild, it really would be noticeable that we'll see that drop in temperatures... After that (Saturday), the uncertainty grows."

Rain is expected elsewhere on Saturday afternoon, heaviest across the Midlands. Eastern England will see significant rainfall throughout Saturday evening, the Met Office understands. This unsettled period is likely to continue into next week with daytime temperatures likely to remain in single figures for several days.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mark Sidaway said: “The high pressure that has been responsible for the mainly dry weather through much of this week will retrogress into the Atlantic as we get towards the weekend. This will gradually introduce more unsettled weather, initially in the north from Friday but more widely from Sunday.

“In addition to this increased rainfall, which could be heavy at times on Sunday, temperatures will also drop, especially for those in Scotland, as a northerly airflow develops, bringing colder Arctic air to some northern areas.

“This shift does introduce the possibility of snow, initially over high ground in the north from Sunday, with gusty winds also a potential hazard. There is a lot of uncertainty by Sunday, but there remain a number of scenarios which could bring some more widespread rain, along with some hill snow and stronger winds. Warnings for winter hazards are possible later in the weekend, so it’s important to stay up to date with the latest forecast.”