Britain to be colder than Moscow as 'Arctic attack' sends temperatures plummeting to -5C

Brits will face miserable weather conditions this week with chilly winds and rain expected to blow in across the country throughout the week as ex-Hurricane Kirk barrels toward Europe

Britain will be colder than Moscow as a -5C 700 mile-wide 'Arctic attack' sees England risk its first snow of the season in an early taste of winter this week.

Temperatures will halve as the four-day chill blows in from Thursday. The Met Office warned of snow in Scotland on mountains, and BBC Weather said wintry flurries could fall in England on high ground.

Daytime highs will halve to just 10C even in parts of the South by Friday, with frosty nights around freezing in places in the South and sub-zero in the North, with -5C expected. Nights will be colder than 3C lows in Moscow. After showers start the week, ex-Hurricane Kirk risks blustery winds and rain on the south coast on Wednesday and Thursday.

But the storm's worst impacts are due to be in France and Spain. Netweather forecaster Nick Finnis said: “The UK now looks set to dodge a bullet with Kirk appearing to track to France.”

BBC Weather said: “Colder air of Arctic origin will this week bring heavy rain or showers which could turn wintry over higher ground in Scotland and perhaps further south. It will be quite chilly, with frosty nights possible.”

A Met Office forecaster said: “Monday has heavy showers, with more persistent rain in the North following and a small chance of wind and rain in the far South in midweek. “Colder weather, perhaps with snow on Scottish mountains, will work its way south by the end of the week.”

In its outlook for Tuesday to Thursday, the Met Office said there would be sunshine and showers. "Some more persistent rain in the north," it added. "Small chance of wind and rain affecting the far south. Rain clearing southwards on Thursday to leave brighter, colder weather."