It could be a soaking Saturday with a stormy salvo bringing a bombardment of heavy showers for much of the country.

Some of the showers could be wintry with sleet and snow possible across higher ground but periods of heavy rain are likely for lower levels as a series of fronts move south during the morning.

Most of the early rain will pass through southern Scotland and northern regions of England before showers set in for western parts of England and Wales.

These are more likely to contain some sleet or snow but there should be no accumulation.

Much brighter and cooler weather will follow before another wintry blast starts to take charge with a strong north-west breeze developing.

More snow is possible for western parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland with temperatures dipping as the day progresses to signal a cold and wintry Sunday in many parts. It will feel close the freezing in the blustery wind.

Predicted weather patterns and temperatures for Saturday
Predicted weather patterns and temperatures for Saturday

A spokesperson for The Weather Channel said: “Most precipitation will be a wintry mix over moderate and high altitudes, with sleet and snow sometimes falling to lower-levels, however there is not likely to be any accumulation.

“Temperatures briefly recovering to around normal to slightly above for the time of year on Saturday, although still feeling cold. Becoming colder once again Sunday, and into the beginning of next week.”