New weather maps from WXCharts show wintery weather is set to hit the UK on January 15, with deep snow forecast in 12 counties and temperatures dropping as low as -8C in Scotland

The amber warning covers parts of the East Midlands, South West England, Wales, West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber. A separate amber warning for wind has also been issued and will come into effect from 4pm today until 11pm, affecting parts of South West England.

The Met Office is urging UK homeowners to ensure they have a sufficient stock of various household essentials readily available, as harsher weather is on the way. It has been an incredibly cold start to the week, with temperatures plunging close to freezing, triggering snow and ice across much of the country.

Snowfall will be increasingly confined to far north of Scotland but ice risk to linger across many areas

The Met Office has named 57 UK areas facing the risk of snow before Friday - with warnings in parts of England and Wales bringing freezing temperatures and wind too.

A band of snow will move across the warning area through Sunday morning, according to new yellow weather warnings.

Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: "Storm Goretti will be a multi-hazard event, with the most significant impacts from snow in parts of Wales and the Midlands and the very strong winds in the far South West,