“Wednesday to Friday will be the coldest part of the week,” said the Met Office’s Tom Crabtree as Arctic air swept south on Monday. Yellow warnings for snow and ice now cover large parts of Scotland and northern England through midweek, while UKHSA has issued amber cold‑health alerts across the North East, North West and Yorkshire & Humber until Saturday morning.

It’s a sharp turn after an unusually mild start to November. Earlier this month the Met Office noted temperatures running six to seven degrees above average; this week they drop well below normal with a biting northerly wind and widespread frost for many.

Public health officials stress the alerts are aimed at health and social care services, but the message is simple: look out for older neighbours and anyone with existing conditions. UKHSA’s amber alerts run from 12:00 on Monday 17 November to 08:00 on Saturday 22 November for the three northern regions; the rest of England is under a yellow alert for the same period.

Snow is expected to push into northern and eastern Scotland early on Tuesday 18 November, turning heavier over higher routes. The Met Office says 2–5 cm is possible where showers are frequent, rising to 5–10 cm above about 400 m, with some disruption likely on upland roads and rail.

Further showers will feed into northern Scotland Tuesday night through Thursday, with accumulations building. “A period of snow is likely over high ground,” added chief forecaster Paul Gundersen, with 2–5 cm possible at low levels in places and 15–20 cm above 300 m across parts of northeast England and Scotland.

Northern England won’t escape it. Hill snow is likely across the North Pennines and the North York Moors, and the Met Office has also flagged coastal eastern districts. On the Yorkshire coast a yellow warning runs from 06:00 Wednesday 19 November to 18:00 Thursday 20 November, with frequent North Sea showers drifting inland.

Ice will be a hazard wherever showers fall. With a strong northerly, it will feel sub‑zero for many even when the thermometer shows a few degrees above. Expect untreated surfaces to turn slick overnight and on early commutes, especially on exposed routes over the moors and fells.

Midweek nights look particularly raw. The Met Office expects the lowest temperatures of the week on Wednesday and Thursday nights, with rural parts of northern England and Scotland dipping close to –10C and a widespread frost setting in by evening.

Community groups are already urging simple neighbourly checks. “We’d urge everyone to check in on older family, friends and neighbours,” said Age Scotland chief executive Katherine Crawford, pointing to the risks of isolation when paths and minor roads ice over.

There is some relief in sight. Forecasts point to a less cold, more Atlantic‑driven pattern edging in from Friday, bringing cloud and some rain from the west and lifting temperatures closer to average into the weekend. Keep an eye on updated warnings as details may shift.