Snow on its way to Norfolk this weekend - but not as bad as previously feared

Scenes of the snow in Sprowston, Images taken 11-01-2017 (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

Norwich-based forecaster Weatherquest said although sleet and snow is forecast for Sunday, it will not be as bad as previously feared.

The Met Office yesterday warned that rural areas with limited access could become cut off by the bad weather, while flights and trains could be delayed.

A yellow warning of snow is in place for the East of England for Sunday, from 4am until 11.55pm. The Met Office said: 'A spell of heavy snow is possible over some central parts of the UK during Sunday.

'This could lead to road, rail and air travel delays, with the potential for vehicles to become stranded or public transport to be cancelled. Rural communities with limited access routes could become cut off.'

But Weatherquest's Richard Jones said Norfolk was more likely to see rain than significant snowfall.

While it will be a mostly bright day today, there is a risk of showers and sleet in the afternoon - mostly in west Norfolk.

Temperatures will once again drop to -2C on Saturday, with the mercury only rising to 3C later in the day.

Elsewhere in the country, around 500 properties were without power overnight as Storm Caroline hit, with up to 20cm (8in) of snow now expected to fall across parts of the UK.

Forecasters have issued a yellow severe weather warning for snow and ice on Friday covering much of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and parts of northern and western England.

More than 4,000 people were without power for parts of Thursday, with 500 properties across parts of Caithness, Orkney and Shetland left with no electricity overnight due to worker safety reasons.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) director of customer operations Dale Cargill said: 'We would also like to apologise to any customers who remain off supply and would like to reassure them that we are well prepared and resourced to carry our repairs to our network and will resume efforts first thing tomorrow morning.

'With heavy snow and risk of lightning forecast for many parts tomorrow as well as the continued gale force winds we remain on yellow alert.'

Thursday saw train services suspended between Aberdeen and Inverness, Inverness and Wick, Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh as well as some Glasgow Queen Street routes to the west coast.

During today, increasingly frequent snow showers affecting parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England will extend across many other northern and western parts of the UK.

The Met Office said snow is likely to be up to 5cm (2in) deep in places over the warning area, while 10 (4in) to 20cm (8in) is possible for some locations, mainly in northern Scotland, Northern Ireland, north Wales and perhaps the northwest Midlands.

Forecasters predict icy surfaces are also likely, while strong northwest winds may cause blizzard conditions at times across northern Scotland.

Very strong winds are expected to continue through the day with gusts of 70 to 80mph at times, especially over Shetland.

The heaviest and most frequent of the snow showers will progressively become confined to northeast Scotland during Saturday.

A number of schools will remain shut in the Highlands, having closed when the storm first brought high winds on Thursday.