Maps suggest a brisk cold spell is on the horizon that could coat parts of the country in snow(Image: No credit)

UK weather: Freezing -5C to bring snow in days amid fears of 'coldest winter in decade'

New weather maps suggest Britons can soon expect sub-zero temperatures and a round of snow, with one area in particular is set to be the "worst hit" in the country

by · The Mirror

The UK is bracing for a cold snap which could see temperatures drop as low as -5C and bring snow to some parts of the country for the first time this autumn.

The latest weather maps from WXCharts, which uses data from MetDesk, show that Britain could see a chilly start to the week on Monday, November 4. The charts assign an 80 percent chance that snow will hit the Scottish Highlands on the day. They also suggest that northern England should prepare for a dusting, especially across the Pennines.

The area is expected to bear the brunt of the incoming snowfall, and meteorologists have concurred with the forecast, claiming that modelling suggests with "high confidence" that "widespread snow events" could take shape on three specific days in November and December.

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Snow will fall over Scotland and the Pennines, independent forecasts suggest( Image: Getty Images)

British Weather Services chief meteorologist Jim Dale told Nottinghamshire Live: "Colder yes, within a northerly airstream. Any snow at the moment is confined to the Scottish mountains, maybe higher northern Pennines." He added: "It's a watching brief, as ever but snow in the south so early in the season is becoming a rare event."

James Madden from Excata Weather added: "Our UK and Ireland autumn and winter 2024/25 forecast for 'November and December' has identified at least THREE dates and periods in particular of high confidence to expect colder conditions and widespread snow events."

Madden added: "There are additional dates of less higher and more moderate confidence, with some possible transient snow events during mid-to-late November to December too. It is also important to note that we do also have some other forecast expectations to start winter at times this year, and it would be unfair to paint a predominant theme of this cold and snow throughout the month as a whole."

The Met Office predicts that frost and fog could be awaiting Britons this month( Image: Getty Images)

The Met Office has given its predictions concerning the weather forecast starting as early as November 4, with "high pressure" likely bringing frost and fog before a second system creates conditions more conducive to rain. The forecasters make no mention of coming snow.

The agency predicts: "After a potentially settled start to November, with high pressure often in the vicinity of the UK leading to more widely drier conditions and the chance of frost and fog, perhaps slow to clear in places, it is likely this will be increasingly displaced to allow lower pressure to become more dominant with time.

"As such, there will be an increasing chance of rain or showers becoming more prevalent towards mid-November." The forecast adds: "Temperatures may initially be below average, but will probably recover closer to average with the onset of more unsettled conditions."