A SPELL of unsettled weather is on the way for much of the country this week, with rain showers and a possible mix of sleet and snow, mainly on high ground in the north.

Although snow is unikely in North Wales tonight and tomorrow, it will be a lot colder than in recent days.

In Snowdonia there is a a high chance of wind chill hazard above 300m.

The Met Office describes this as: "Wind significantly lowers the ‘feels-like’ temperature relative to the actual temperature, with even moderate winds significantly adding to the chilling effect. Strong winds can result in a severe and debilitating wind chill many degrees below the actual temperature. This effect will be enhanced in rain or wet snow. Without protection, prolonged exposure could result in frost nip or frostbite on exposed parts of the body and/or hypothermia."

On Thursday, wintry showers will build during the afternoon, with the chance of some turning heavier for a time.

Local Authorities in North Wales say they will grit the roads this evening and tomorrow morning with temperatures expected to drop as low as 0C overnight.

Sleet showers are forecast for Holyhead at about 11pm.

Overall, there will noticeable change from the dry and mild weather associated with the high-pressure system which dominated the country last week, with colder Arctic air pushing south across most of the country.  

This brings with it the risk of unsettled conditions for the rest of the week.  

A Yellow Warning for ice has been issued for northeastern areas of the UK, with the potential for widespread icy patches.  

Linked to this, a band of wintry showers will sink south through Wednesday, bringing a continued risk of snow to high ground, and a mix of rain, sleet and snow to lower levels. Some accumulations may be expected over higher ground, but  any slight accumulations at lower levels are unlikely to hang around for too long.  

The cold front continues to push south, with the risk of wintry precipitation persisting, before eventually clearing southern areas early on Thursday. 

Wintry showers follow for many areas through Thursday and Friday, especially northern and eastern areas. Snow becomes increasingly confined to higher ground, with rain more likely at low levels, although an odd flurry of sleet or snow can’t be ruled out.  

Coupled with the sleet and snow is the drop in temperatures that many places have already been experiencing.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Helen Caughey said, “Cold and unsettled weather takes charge over much of the UK this week, as cold air is drawn in from the north, bringing with it the risk of rain, sleet and snow, and a widespread drop in temperatures. 

“Although there’s still some uncertainty on the exact location of snow showers, the trend is for a mix of sleet and snow to fall as a cold front moves south through on Wednesday, before clearing southern areas on Thursday morning, with the main areas at risk of snowfall being higher ground in the north and east. The best of any clear and sunny spells through the rest of this week are likely to be in the south and west of the UK, albeit feeling colder compared to last week.”