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The UK is seeing its first significant snow of the season as a cold snap sweeps across the country.

With snow already falling across northern Scotland, other parts of the UK will join in later on Monday as a low pressure system moves in from the Atlantic.

Cold health alerts and two Met Office yellow warnings for snow and ice are in place with disruption possible from Monday night.

The higher routes of north Wales, Northern Ireland, northern England and the Midlands are forecast to see some of the worst of the conditions. Meanwhile, frequent snow showers will continue across northern Scotland.

Temperatures will be much lower than the mid-November average by day and there will be some very cold and frosty nights.

Monday will bring a spell of heavy rain which is likely to turn to snow as the low pressure system moves across the southern half of the UK and collides with colder air moving down from the north.

A yellow Met Office severe weather warning is valid from Monday evening until Tuesday morning, covering southern Scotland, northern England, north Wales, Northern Ireland and the north Midlands.

Up to 20cm (8in) of snow is possible on the high ground of the south Pennines but even at lower levels we could expect to see perhaps 2-10cm (1-4in) of settling snow. There will also be icy stretches.

Travel disruption is possible, particularly on the higher trans-Pennine routes during Tuesday morning.

Wintry showers brought snow to northern Scotland on Sunday and are continuing into the first half of the week, with snow accumulating, mainly over high ground.

Up to 10cm (4in) of snow could settle on higher ground with 1-3cm possible at lower levels in northern Scotland.

Forecasting snow at lower levels is always tricky, especially in mid-November when the ground and the surrounding seas are still relatively warm compared to midwinter.

During Tuesday morning, there is likely to be a spell of sleet and wet snow to lower levels through the Midlands and into eastern England as cold air digs in behind the low pressure system.

For many, though, this will be a spell of wet and windy weather with most of the sleet and snow expected over higher ground.

The cold weather is forecast to last until the end of the week with cold and frosty nights expected for most of this week and daytime temperatures of only 3-8C.

With a brisk northerly wind, there will also be a significant wind chill making it feel much colder than it is. However, many inland areas will see plenty of crisp sunshine this week with wintry showers remaining confined to coastal areas – especially northern Scotland.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a cold health alert covering the Midlands and north of England for much of this week. It states that weather conditions are likely to have minor impacts on health and social care services, including increased use of healthcare services and a greater risk to life for vulnerable people.

By the weekend we are expecting the cold air to be replaced by milder south-westerly winds with potentially wet and very windy weather sweeping in. As the wetter weather moves northwards there remains the risk of some brief snow, before it quickly thaws.

There is more on the forecast for the rest of November in our latest monthly outlook.