The Met Office has issued new yellow snow warnings for five areas of the UK on Friday.

The Met Office has announced a yellow snow and ice warning for several regions across the UK for Friday.

The warning is covering parts of Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Eilean Siar, Strathclyde, where snowfalls are set to hit the areas beginning at around midnight on Friday and tapering off by 9am. The yellow warning for snow and ice was issued at 9:50am on Thursday, March 12.

A Met Office forecast said: "Blustery wintry showers will affect central and northwest Scotland during Thursday afternoon and evening but are expected to become more frequent during the second half of the night before easing on Friday morning. 2-5 cm of snow is expected fairly widely across the area, with 10 cm possible in places above about 350 metres."

The Met Office warning also included the following warning: "Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services; Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths; Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces."

The forecast read: "Northern Ireland has also been added to the list of area affected, the Met Office also said. Its forecast read: "Strong winds are expected during Thursday associated with an active weather front moving southeastwards across the UK. Gusts of 50-55 mph are expected widely, with some coastal locations and areas downwind of high ground seeing gusts of 60 mph or even 70 mph in a few places. Winds will ease from the north through the day."

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UK residents are being warned of some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely, while it is possible there will be some "short term loss of power and other services".

It is also likely some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large waves. In its advice, the Met Office also warned of possible power cuts. Its message read: "People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items."