The UK could be hit by a 480-mile snow bomb early next month, with the latest weather maps warning temperatures may tumble to -9C. The wintry system is expected to move across the country between April 3 and April 5.

Weather maps from WXCharts indicate the band of heavy snow pushing southwards late on April 3 before intensifying on April 4 and lingering into the early hours of April 5. The system is being driven by a surge of Arctic air plunging down from the north, triggering widespread snowfall as it clashes with milder Atlantic moisture. Weather charts show the snow zone stretching roughly 480 miles from the Scottish Highlands through northern England and the Midlands and down towards parts of southern England. At least 12 major cities could be in the path of the wintry blast, which may raise concerns over travel disruption, school closures and hazardous driving conditions.

Forecast charts suggest the Arctic air will begin pushing south across Scotland late on April 3. The colder air mass is then expected to spread further into northern England and the Midlands during April 4.

At the same time, high pressure is forecast to build to the west of the UK, helping to drive bitter northerly winds down the country.

By the early hours of April 5, the coldest conditions could become firmly established, bringing a sharp overnight freeze.

Snowfall totals could reach around 5-10cm in parts of eastern Scotland and higher ground, while more scattered accumulations are possible further south.

Forecasts warn that once skies clear, a sharp freeze is likely to follow, with temperatures potentially dropping to -9C in rural areas of Scotland and northern England by the morning of April 5.

The cold spell is expected to be accompanied by brisk northerly winds, making it feel significantly colder than the thermometer suggests.

Daytime temperatures in northern areas could struggle to rise above -2C or -3C during the peak of the cold snap.

Further projections indicate temporary snow cover could extend as far south as parts of southern England near the English Channel.

Conditions could also remain unsettled into the second week of April, with further wintry showers possible before temperatures gradually recover.

Households may have to prepare for the sudden cold snap by checking heating systems, insulating exposed pipes and allowing extra time for journeys as Britain braces for a late-season blast of winter.

• Aberdeen
• Dundee
• Glasgow
• Newcastle
• Leeds
• Manchester
• Stoke-on-Trent
• Birmingham
• Norwich
• Ipswich
• London
• Southampton