If you'd been lulled into a false sense of security by our recent unseasonal warm spell then it's time to think again, say Mountaineering Scotland.

With unprecedented high temperatures and dwindling snow cover, many hill-goers have abandoned crampons, ice-axes and a sense of seasonal seriousness in favour of a more summery approach.

However, the weather is now returning to more usual conditions for the time of year.

Mountain forecasts for the weekend show a dramatic change in the air mass affecting the UK. Instead of warm air being drawn up from the deep south within a Tropical Maritime air mass, the Jet Stream is dipping south, and we will be influenced by cold air drawn down from the North.

Freezing levels are dropping below summit level from Saturday onwards, with stormy conditions across the UK's hills and the likelihood of significant snowfall in the Highlands.

Mountaineering Scotland's Mountain Safety Adviser, Heather Morning, said:

"Combine fresh snow cover with high winds and poor visibility and it's time to switch on that #Thinkwinter awareness again and reinstate those crampons and ice axes essential for safe travel in the winter mountains.

"It's important to consider our mind-set: over the past two weeks it very much felt like winter was behind us, so it would be all too easy to get caught out in the wrong place with the wrong kit.

"Planning is key this weekend to make the most of our return to winter."

• You can find Scottish avalanche information at www.sais.gov.uk
• Daily winter conditions reports from Helvellyn are available at lakedistrictweatherline.co.uk
• Mountain weather forecasts can be found at www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/mountain-forecasts and at www.mwis.org.uk