Met Office weather warning of high winds and possible snow showers in Bedfordshire

Forecasters are warning that a swathe of gale force north to northwesterly winds, accompanied by a band of rain and snow, will move south across much of central and southern Britain from 9pm Friday night until 3pm on Saturday.

Wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph are likely and the strongest winds will last for only a few hours.

The weather warning states: “Additionally, some of the snow may settle, this more likely over some of the high ground, for example in north Wales, but there is a possibility of temporary settling snow even at low levels.

“The worst affected areas may see a few centimetre but on current evidence, most places will see little if any lying snow. On Saturday morning, ice will be an additional hazard, particularly for higher level routes.

People in Beds are being warned to expect difficult driving conditions and possible travel disruption.

A Met Office forecaster said: “A major (but temporary) change of weather type will see the winds swing into a more northerly direction, pulling down much colder air across the whole of Britain and western Europe, after what has been an exceptionally mild first half of November.

“Wintry showers will spread to many northern areas in particular and night frosts will become much more widespread.”