A snow storm looks set to batter the UK later this week, with advanced modelling maps suggesting as many as 50 counties across the country could be impacted. The is tracked to come in from an Atlantic front on Thursday evening, landing in western parts of and before spreading to and .

By 9am on Friday, the maps show intense flurries stretching down the west coasts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, with snow falling at a rate of around 3cm per hour in some parts. There will also be some snow coming down across the Pennines around this time.

Maps for midday show snow will have started falling more heavily in both North Wales and northern parts of England, where again 3cm per hour flurries are on the cards. Snow also looks set to drift over central and eastern parts of Northern Ireland.

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Snow showers are expected to fizzle out throughout the rest of Friday before returning in Scotland on Saturday when another weather front is tracked to hit. By 6pm snow could be falling at a staggering rate of around 5cm per hour in the Highlands, with heavy rain expected elsewhere in Scotland.

Weather is also warning of possible "wintry showers" this week. The BBC forecast for Thursday states: "Tomorrow, heavy rain and downpours will affect much of Scotland, Northern Ireland and later north-west England. Drier further south and quite cloudy in the south-west, sunnier in the south-east."

It adds for Friday and Saturday: "Friday is expected to bring a mixture of scattered showers and sunny spells, with a risk of thunder and hail for some. Wintry showers over north-western hills.

"Saturday will see early sunshine be replaced by cloud. It will remain mostly dry in the south, but the north will turn windy with heavy rain. Sunday looks to become mostly dry with variable cloud and the odd shower."

The says "cooler" conditions are on the cards, but is yet to warn of snow. Its forecast for Thursday states: "Cloud and rain continues to sink southeast, becoming heavy and persistent later. Ahead of this, mist and fog clearing to leave a dry day with some sunny spells."

It adds for Friday and Saturday: "Rain eventually clears southeast through Friday, with cooler weather, sunny spells and scattered showers following. Further rain possible in the west on Saturday, but drier overall on Sunday."

However, the national weather agency expects conditions to improve thereafter. The Met Office forecast for March 31 to April 9 states: "At the turn of the month, settled weather is expected to cover much of the UK. Most places are expected to be dry with clear or sunny spells and light winds.

"Inland areas will see a general day on day warming next week, but cooler near coastal areas, with an additional risk of mist or sea fog affecting parts of the east coast. Some periods of unsettled weather could develop at times. If this happens any rain or showers are most likely to affect southern or western areas. However the main signal is for dry and fine weather across the country. Temperatures will likely be around or above normal and feeling warm during the day, and some cold nights are still possible when skies are clear."