Still not convinced re the snow showers as it's not showing up on the gfs charts. 

UK Outlook for Monday 19 Mar 2018 to Wednesday 28 Mar 2018:

Monday will be another very cold day, it will also be largely dry and bright aside from a few snow showers. Gradually, from Tuesday onwards, wet, windy and milder weather is expected to make a return, particularly in the north where rain is likely to be preceded by a spell of snow. In the south it should remain dry, bright and cold with some sunshine. However, later in the week, wet and windy weather is likely to push across all parts before we see a return to colder and brighter weather by the weekend. Into the following week there is significant uncertainty in the forecast but a blocked or only slowly changing weather pattern seems most likely.

UK Outlook for Thursday 29 Mar 2018 to Thursday 12 Apr 2018:

There is significant uncertainty in the forecast throughout this period, but a blocked or slowly changing weather pattern is probable. There will most likely be a balance between Atlantic frontal systems affecting the south and west at times with colder air associated with high pressure out to the northeast. Mixed conditions are likely with wetter than average conditions expected across the south, while staying drier and perhaps colder to the north. Further snow is possible, especially in the north where it will also be windy at times. Temperatures will likely be below average with further night frosts, and any milder interludes will probably be only brief.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast 

Well that update wasn't a surprise, the beast mark 2 is more of a rascal now 

I saw that too - also that's the annoying thing about the new graphics - is know what the difference is between cloud, snow, fog and frost. They use exact same colours.

what a great, well presented, informative forecast..Shame that we get nothing like this on the BBC...Alex Deaken, much like John Hammond, obviously loves the weather and his enthusiasm is infectious!

I don't know why but whenever we have a cold spell it seems like it's Darren Bett forecasting!!

I would expect a yellow warning for snow for Saturday down here, perhaps even an amber. This MetO forecast shows blizzards (using the MetO definition of 30mph sustained winds)!

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/u10skvs08#?date=2018-03-17

All in all a sharp but impressive cold shot over the weekend.

https://www.met.ie/forecasts/

I'm surprised that our Met service over here is sticking to its guns about only light snow here. With snow prospects increasing for England, I would have thought that our prospects would be increasing too. Obviously, they think that the entire system(over both England and Ireland) will be relatively dry.

Given I've got to cross the Pennines and get to Manchester on Saturday, I hope they're right!

Yep - we have similar charts for heavy snow from 06 am Saturday - the warnings have not caught up with the models bringing in the snow earlier.

Have you seen the Sunday fax chart - just imagine that in January - this place would have been electric!

I really hope that you make it to and from the match. But I hope that it snows too!

If it snows a lot on Friday night but only showers on Sat i might be OK, as I'm assuming they would prioritise clearing the A1 and M62 (amongst others).

UK Outlook for Tuesday 20 Mar 2018 to Thursday 29 Mar 2018:

After a few very cold days, temperatures will slowly start to recover through the start of this period. Tuesday and Wednesday will be largely cloudy but mostly dry aside from a few showers. Some spells of wet and windy weather are then expected to arrive from the west later in the week, with rain likely to be preceded by a spell of snow in the north. Inbetween spells of wet and windy weather, there will be some drier, brighter but colder interludes. Into the following week there is significant uncertainty in the forecast but a blocked or only slowly changing weather pattern seems most likely with the wettest weather likely to be in the south and the greatest chance of any snow in the north.

UK Outlook for Friday 30 Mar 2018 to Friday 13 Apr 2018:

There is significant uncertainty in the forecast throughout this period, but a blocked or slowly changing weather pattern is probable. There will most likely be a balance between Atlantic frontal systems affecting the south and west at times with colder air associated with high pressure out to the northeast. Mixed conditions are likely with wetter than average conditions expected across the south, while staying drier and perhaps colder to the north. Further snow is possible, especially in the north where it will also be windy at times. Temperatures will likely be below average with further night frosts, and any milder interludes will probably be only brief.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast