The UK is braced for “disruptive snow” as yellow weather warnings cover large parts of the country until Tuesday – with the Met Office saying there is the “potential” for the alerts to be “escalated”.

The forecaster has warned up to 20cm of snow may accumulate in the worst affected areas as the country experiences its “first taste of winter”.

The Met Office has also told people to expect ice, cold temperatures and wintry showers this week.

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A yellow warning for snow and ice is in place for much of the north of the country – covering areas in the East Midlands, Yorkshire, Wales and the north of England – from 7pm on Monday night to 10am on Tuesday morning.

Those in the impacted areas have been told power cuts are possible and mobile phone coverage might be affected.

The Met Office has said there is a “slight chance” some rural communities could be cut off and that bus and train services may be delayed or cancelled.

People are also warned to be careful not to slip or fall on icy surfaces.

The Met Office has said there will be bright spells across northern and eastern areas throughout today, but rain in the south and west will gradually spread northeastwards and turn to snow over northern hills.

Tom Morgan, Met Office meteorologist, said: “We could see some disruptive snow in the Pennine regions, in particular, the Peak District as well, especially Monday night, but we could well see some impacts lasting on until Tuesday morning’s rush hour.

“Even down to lower levels, we could well see some snow as well, so quite a bit of disruption possible by Tuesday morning, and then the week ahead is likely to stay cold nationwide, a windy day on Tuesday, and then winter showers through the week ahead.”

Mr Morgan said that despite a “mild” start to the month, the cold conditions are more typical of “mid-winter to late-winter”.

“What we can say is that it’s going to be very cold for the time of year, there will be widespread overnight frosts, and a few locations where there’s snow on the ground,” he continued.

Meanwhile, a yellow snow and ice weather warning that came into force at 4pm on Sunday will end at 11am this morning.

The warning covers the northern tip of Scotland and people there have been told there may be icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.

The Met Office has said there is “potential” for both yellow warnings to be “escalated”.

In southern England, a typical maximum temperature for this time of year is 11C (52F), but daytime highs for the week ahead are forecast to be around 5C (41F), while some parts of Scotland will reach “only just above freezing”, Mr Morgan said.

The meteorologist said the public can best prepare for the wintry weather by checking their cars are suitable for icy and potentially snowy conditions and to take extra supplies including food, blankets and a fully charged mobile phone with them on journeys.

He added there were “likely” to be changes to the weather warnings in the coming days, and that “winter flurries” could be seen in the south of England later in the week.

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Despite the cold conditions, the “whole of the UK” will enjoy more sunshine this week, the meteorologist added.

He said: “There’ll be some snow showers in the peripheries of the UK, particularly northern Scotland, and down the east and the west coast, but if you live inland and you live in the south, there’ll be lots of sparkly blue skies on the most days through Tuesday to Friday.”

It comes as a cold weather alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency, which was introduced at 9am on Sunday, will be in place until 9am on Thursday.

It covers a large area of England, north of Northhampton. The alert is triggered when there is a risk that healthcare services might face extra pressure and is designed to prepare those who are “particularly vulnerable” and “likely to struggle to cope”.

A man has pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dangerously out of control XL bully dog which killed his neighbour.

Christopher Bell, 45, admitted to the offence at Newcastle Crown Court.

The XL bully killed Ian Langley in Shiney Row near Sunderland on 3 October last year.

The 54-year-old suffered fatal neck injuries when he was attacked while walking his puppy.

Bell, formerly of Maple Terrace, Shiney Row, pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog which caused injury leading to death while dangerously out of control in a public place.

Bell, now living in Coltman Street, Hull, was granted bail and will be sentenced on 27 January.

The charge named his dog as Titan – “an American bully XL”.

Police shot the dog at the scene to protect the public.

Neighbours said Mr Langley, who was originally from Liverpool, was walking his patterdale puppy called Bow when he was attacked.

His puppy bolted and managed to escape and was being looked after by a neighbour in the aftermath of the attack which horrified residents living on the estate.

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At the time, Michael Kennedy, also from Shiney Row, said he had known Mr Langley for more than 20 years, and said many people knew him simply as “Scouse”.

He said: “He was a really nice lad, he came from Liverpool, he was a lovable rogue you might say.

“He never did any harm, he was not a violent person, he wasn’t a hard man, he wasn’t the type to go looking for trouble.

“He was really thin, he would have no chance against a big dog.”

Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been given a seven-match ban for an alleged racist remark made about South Korean teammate Son Heung-min in a TV interview.

Bentancur, 27, was charged by the Football Association on 12 September after an interview on the Uruguayan TV channel Canal 10 in June that showed the midfielder being asked by the host to show the shirt of a Spurs player.

The former Juventus player replied: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”

He swiftly apologised to Son on Instagram, saying it was a “very bad joke” and he would “never disrespect you or hurt you”.

Son accepted his apology, saying that his teammate had made a mistake and “would not mean to ever intentionally say something offensive”.

“We are brothers and nothing has changed at all,” Son said in June. “We’re past this, we’re united, and we will be back together in preseason to fight for our club as one.”

But due to this being an “aggravated breach”, an independent regulatory commission panel were required to either uphold the FA charge or dismiss the case.

Bentancur was fined £100,0000 and will sit out Tottenham’s next seven domestic fixtures, but will be able to feature for the club in upcoming Europa League matches with Roma and Rangers.

He will miss Premier League games against Manchester City away on Saturday as well as home clashes against Liverpool and Chelsea in December. Bentancur will also miss the League Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.

As well as the fine and seven-match ban, the FA ordered Bentancur to attend a “face-to-face education programme”, details of which will be provided later. The course should be completed by 11 March next year.

“If the player fails to complete the programme satisfactorily in that period, he will be immediately suspended from all domestic club football until such time as the mandatory programme is completed,” the FA said.

In their statement, the FA added: “It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA Rule E3.1 as he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute.

“It was further alleged that this constitutes an ‘aggravated breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference – whether express or implied – to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.

“Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent regulatory commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing.”

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Tottenham and Bentancur did not immediately respond to the decision.