Much of Scotland will be covered with a blanket of snow today that in some places could be 6in (15cm) deep.

But it will disappear almost as soon as it has arrived, heralding drier, warmer and sunnier weather for the rest of the week, forecasters predict.

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for much of Scotland for today, advising people to be aware of snow fall.

Snow will move into western Scotland this morning and pass eastwards throughout the day across most parts of the UK, although west Wales, south west England and coastal parts of the South will see rain instead.

Sally Webb, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said later this afternoon it will begin to clear and turn increasingly to rain and drizzle in western areas as milder air begins to move in.

"In Scotland there will be 4cm to 7cm (2in to 3in) widely, and 15cm (6in) expected on higher ground. Overnight it will turn to patchy rain and drizzle across the UK, before a band of heavy rain moves in during the early hours. It will also be windy today, especially across northern Scotland.

"As soon as the snow moves through it does get a bit milder," Miss Webb said. "It will be milder for the rest of the week, mainly dry with sunny spells and cloud."