A yellow weather warning has been issued for snow and ice across parts of Scotland and the north of England.

Up to 20cm of snow is possible on higher ground on Monday and Tuesday, and there is a small chance of up to 10cm of snow settling at lower levels, which could prove disruptive, the Met Office said.

The warning covers much of southern Scotland and north-east England, parts of Yorkshire, and parts of north-west England including Lancashire and Cumbria, and will be in force from 10am on Monday until 10am on Tuesday.

A separate warning for snow and ice is in place in northern Scotland from 4pm on Sunday until 11am on Monday.

The Met Office says a yellow warning signifies there is a small chance that power cuts will occur, and other services such as mobile phone coverage may be affected. Untreated pavements and cycle paths may become impassable, and it is possible some rural communities could become cut off, the forecaster said.

Bus and train services may be delayed or cancelled, with some road closures and longer journey times, while the Met Office warns of risk of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.

Rebekah Hicks, a deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “A notable early winter cold spell will arrive across the north from Sunday and will likely reach all parts of the UK by midweek. Temperatures will drop as a northerly airflow develops, bringing in colder Arctic air. This introduces the possibility of snow, initially over high ground in the north from Sunday, with gusty winds also a potential hazard.”