Energy giant British Gas has advice for UK households set to battle heavy snow this weekend, with several areas expecting blizzard conditions on Saturday and Sunday.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy snow starting at 3pm on Saturday for Scotland, lasting 12 hours until 3pm on Sunday.

At the same time, the forecaster is also warning areas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to brace for strong winds and possible power cuts.

The Storm Dave warning from the Met Office says: “Snow and for a time blizzard conditions may disrupt travel for parts of northwest Scotland in association with Storm Dave.”

It adds: “During the evening snow may turn heavier and as winds increase, blizzard conditions with drifting and blowing snow likely to lead to very poor visibility across the hills and mountains of the northwest of Scotland.

“Accumulating snow on roads will mostly be above 200 m elevation, where 5-10 cm is possible and a small chance of 10-20 cm.”

Energy supplier British Gas has a list of advice for homes, urging people to do several things to prepare.

The list includes: Improve insulation, including weatherproofing gaps around windows and doors.

Protect pipes, and put insulating tubing on any exposed pipes for your boiler or heating or water supply.

Store extra wood for a log burner indoors, in case you can’t get to it, and don’t put electric heaters near furniture.

The firm also urged people to check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, especially if using indoor heating like a log burner.

Households were also urged to check where their stopcock is, in case they need to turn off the water supply due to a burst pipe.

British Gas then told households to prepare for not having heating. It said; “While it’s unlikely that a heavy snowfall will leave you without any heating, it’s always worth keeping sleeping bags, blankets and warm coats handy.”

Another tip relates to gardens, adding: “While it’s unlikely that a heavy snowfall will leave you without any heating, it’s always worth keeping sleeping bags, blankets and warm coats handy.”

The supplier also urged people to make an emergency kit, adding: “It’s a good habit to have at least three days’ worth of food and essentials stored in an easy-to-reach part of your home.

That’s things like medicines, drinking water, non-perishable food and snacks, and extra blankets. You should also keep a torch, batteries and a phone charger close by too.”

For those with a car, the firm said to check several key things, It said: “Have your brakes, heater, tyres and windscreen wipers checked to make sure they’re in good working order before winter.”

And finally, British Gas urged people to check on neighbours as it added: “When severe weather hits, you might find yourself stranded away from home. So plan how you’ll stay in contact with the rest of your household and where you’ll meet if you can’t get home due to heavy snow.

“Check in on elderly or vulnerable relatives and neighbours to make sure they’ve got everything they need to get through a cold snap”