UK faces 48-hour snow blitz with nine major cities and towns set for 'three inches'

A December snow blast will see nine major cities in the UK smashed by white stuff - with flurries and accumulations predicted by WX Charts, which uses Met desk data. Snow will first hit much of Scotland at around 12pm, on December 11, it has been warned.

UK residents can expect around 8cm set to fall near Inverness in just an hour, with Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen also at risk in Scotland. In England, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds are at risk and in Wales, Cardiff could be struck.

Belfast in Northern Ireland may also face flurries. The Met Office forecast for December 3 onwards explains: "A cold and frosty start is expected on Tuesday, with some patchy freezing fog in places, which may be slow to clear. Cloud will increase from the west, then later rain for western parts.

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"This may fall as snow at first across Scotland and the Highlands. Following a brief settled spell, further fontal systems are expected to move in from the west, more likely to bring rain and breezy conditions for much of the UK, especially northern and western parts. Towards the end of the period there are signs for more settled weather becoming amplified across the south of the UK.

"Temperatures will be close to or below average on Tuesday, then rising above average where frontal systems move in from the west." In the short term, the Met Office forecast for today (Thursday November 28) explains: "Frost and fog slowly clearing from most areas to leave a dry day with some bright and sunny conditions, though chilly where the fog persists. Becoming cloudier and windy in the west with some patchy rain developing.

"Clear spells in the east with more frost and fog expected. Cloudier and windy with coastal gales in the far west and northwest accompanied with some patchy rain and drizzle." The Friday outlook adds: "Cloud and rain continues in the west and north, which can be heavy at times. Slow spreading slowly eastwards. The southeast remains dry with some hazy sunshine. Turning milder."