Heavy snow will selectively blanket stretches of England, Wales and Irelandinto Wednesday as a arctic cold tackles a major Atlantic storm.The storm will spread rain, some of it heavy, will over much of the southernhalf of England along with Wales and Ireland. Inland, air will be cold enoughfor at least snowfall in areas of the English Midland, Wales and areas ofnorthern England. This will also hold true in Ireland.

Sustained snow, some heavy, will leave accumulation of 6-12 inches over hills,especially in Wales. In these areas, strong winds will blow and drift thesnow.

The snow impact of the storm will slow ground travel in affected areas. Roadscrossing hills could be blocked by wind-drifted snowfall to a foot or more.

Electrical power could be cut.

The storm itself will also threaten to cause local flooding due to heavy rainin southern England. Flight delays and cancellations will also take place owingto low ceiling and visibility.

Story by Accuweather.com Senior Meteorologist Jim Andrews.