Across the UK, there are five weather warnings in place for both snow and ice – but what do they mean?

Yellow snow and ice warning:

What are they? A yellow warning for snow and ice means wintry showers could cause snowfall as well as icy surfaces forming on roads, pavements and cycle paths.

Where are they? Yellow warnings are in effect in northern Scotland, most of northern Ireland, the east coast of England – spanning from east Anglia to Eyemouth, just south of Edinburgh and some of the west midlands and parts of central Wales.

What’s the impact? Roads and railways may be affected by longer journey times, there may be some icy patches on roads, pavements and cycle paths and there is a risk of injuries from falls or slipping on ice.

Yellow ice warning:

What are they? Unlike the snow and ice warning, this warning means that there are expected to be icy patches are expected to form this evening and overnight, without the expectation of snowfall.

Where are they? The ice warning in effectcovers a large part of England, including Birmingham, Oxford, Cardiff, London, Bath, Stoke-on-Trent and parts of Exeter.

What’s the impact? Extra time will be needed for journeys on foot to reduce the risk of slipping and icy patches are expected to form on roads, potentially causing delays to transport. The Met Office says that vehicles could be stranded, power cuts may occur and rural areas could be cut off.