A storm front will reach the UK, Ireland, and France on Thursday, before moving east on Friday into Europe, bringing strong winds, snow, and rain.

Gusts of up to 75 mph are expected in the English Channel, on the south-west coast of England and in Brittany, France. Strong to stormy winds will also blow inland, particularly on Friday, from northern France to the North Sea and Baltic Sea.

The low pressure system is bringing mild Atlantic air in its wake, so it will mostly rain with temperatures above zero. At the same time, frosty air from Scandinavia will linger, resulting in snowfall. Combined with the wind, snow drifts are possible.

At the weekend, icy polar air will flow into Central Europe at the rear of the low-pressure system. This will cause the snow line to drop again in regions that had previously been mild.