The Met Office has issued urgent yellow warnings for snow and ice for almost half the country on Monday and Tuesday.

In England, major cities including Liverpool, Manchester, Stoke, Nottingham, Hull, York and Leeds could see disruption as the winter blast arrives with a vengeance tomorrow.

The north of Scotland will also not escape the wrath of the winter weather with yellow warnings in place for Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian and Borders as well as the Orkney and Shetland Islands.

Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East and North West of England and the East and West Midlands have all received yellow weather warnings for snow and ice from 7pm Monday to 10am hours Tuesday.

And maps from WXCharts show that some places higher up in England could expect to see 6cm of snow falling per hour.

A statement from Met Office today (Sunday) said: “Further snow and ice is forecast starting Monday evening and into Tuesday night.

“While most snow is still likely to accumulate on higher ground, with 5 to 10 cm on the ground over 200 meters and possibly 15 to 20 cm over 300 meters, it is possible for snow to settle at lower levels in the alert zone.

“This possible 5-10cm at lower levels is likely to be more disruptive, particularly if you are traveling and the snow coincides with peak times, but the likelihood of this happening is still uncertain at this stage.

“As rain, sleet and snow dissipate Tuesday morning, ice may form on untreated surfaces.”

In addition to the severe weather warnings, a cold weather health alert has been issued by the UKHSA which provides alerts to the health sector in England. The alert covers the Midlands and the north of England from Sunday morning until Thursday.

Chief Meteorologist Andy Page said: “We have issued yellow warnings for snow and ice as cold weather arrives from the north.

“This brings snow showers and some ice to parts of Scotland on Sunday evening, then the possibility of a spell of snow causing disruption to some transport routes across a central part of the UK on Tuesday morning .

“Gusty easterly winds also remain a potential danger. Updated warnings about winter hazards are likely, so it is important to keep up to date with the latest forecasts.”

Today:

Periods of hazy sunshine will be replaced by clouds and scattered rain in the northern and western regions. Further windy winter showers for northern Scotland. The driest and brightest towards the south. I’m colder.

This evening:

Unstable in central areas with outbreaks of rain, heaviest in the west. Scattered wintry showers in the far north, with sunny spells leading to a cold and frosty night.

Monday:

Hazy sun in the north and east with wintry showers in the far north. Intermittent heavy rain elsewhere, changing to snow, mainly over northern high ground.

Outlook from Tuesday to Thursday:

An unsettled start Tuesday with rain and possibly snow, giving way to sunnier periods. Frosty mornings Wednesday and Thursday but drier with a few wintry showers. Colder and windier.