Widespread disruption is expected as snow continues to fall across large parts of the UK, with forecasters warning some communities could be cut off as temperatures plummet.

Freezing air hanging above much of the UK will continue to turn an eastward-moving band of rain into wintry showers on Saturday, while strong winds pose the risk of blizzard conditions across northern Scotland where thousands of homes were left without power on Friday.

A yellow warning of snow and ice covering western parts stretching from Devon and Cornwall in the south to the far north of Scotland is in place until 6pm on Saturday evening, with temperatures struggling to get above 0C (32F) "across the board" throughout the day.

Southern areas are expected to be marginally milder, meaning they will see rain rather than snow, however strong winds are forecast in the wake of Storm Caroline.

Elsewhere freezing temperatures are expected overnight and into Sunday morning, down to as low as -12C (10F), meaning that fallen snow will fail to clear before the arrival of further heavy showers.

An amber warning of heavy snow, beginning at 4am on Sunday, has been issued for most of north Wales and north-west England, while parts of the West and East Midlands, the East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber and London and the South East could be affected.

"Road, rail and air travel delays are likely, as well as stranding of vehicles and public transport cancellations. There is a good chance that some rural communities could become cut off," the Met Office said.

The alert is accompanied by a yellow warning of wind for parts of eastern England, London and the South East, the South West and Wales that could bring "short-term loss of power and other services" as well as transport disruption.

Accumulations of 10cm (4in) of snow are expected widely in the warning areas, while 15-20cm (6in-8in) is possible in worst-hit areas.

Forecaster Steven Keates said: "This has the potential to cause quite widespread disruption to transport, power outages and isolation for some rural areas. It will not be a pleasant day.

"South of that there will be some rain coming through and it will be quite windy, with 50-60mph gusts, so we are talking about gale-force wind and severe gales in some parts.

"Farther north, for the bulk of Scotland, it will be a cold but fine day with some snow for the far north."

Highways England has advised road users intending to travel through the West Midlands and the north-west of England to check the forecast and road conditions before they travel.

Meanwhile, council gritting teams are on standby to cover roads across the country as temperatures plummet for a second night.

On Friday night lows of 5.3C (42F) were recorded at Spadeadam in Cumbria, while widespread frost was forecast on Saturday night with lows of -12C (10F) expected in sheltered Scottish glens under clear skies.

Some 18,000 homes were reconnected after losing power as a result of stormy weather on Friday, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said.

A total of 14cm (6in) of snow was recorded in Inverness-shire, while 12cm (4.7in) was recorded in Aviemore.