UK weather maps have turned purple and white as a 720-mile Arctic blast prepares to hit the country with an onslaught of freezing conditions.
WXCharts weather maps for November 21-22 indicate that conditions are set to plunge to below freezing bringing with it a substantial amount of snowfall and ice.
The latest weather models reveal a widespread cold front moving south from Scandinavia as the UK braces itself for an extended period of cold weather.
At 12pm on November 21 the bulk of the snow is forecast to hit the Highlands and Tayside in Scotland with a whopping 30cm predicted to fall.
The North East and West of England alongside Edinburgh could also see a lunch time drenching of snow with a maximum 10cm forecast.
The rest of England and Wales will not miss out on the hammering of snow with Wales forecast to be completely covered in snow with 2.5cm likely.
Manchester and Plymouth could see 2cm of snow while the South West and South East could see 1.5cm of the white stuff.
London will narrowly miss out on seeing snow but this won’t be for long. As only 12 hours later, at midnight on Friday November 22, the capital could see 1.5cm.
South Wales and South West England will receive the biggest dumping of snow on November 22 with up to 15cm predicted.
The east of England and the East Midlands are predicted 1.cm of snow.
While Scotland may see a 15cm deluge of the white stuff.
As we go into the morning of November 22 widespread temperatures will be bitterly cold.
Peak temperatures will be a mere two degrees with many areas seeing temperatures plummet to -2 to 1 degrees.
According to the Met Office’s long-range forecast for November 16-25 the weather is turn “more unsettled and significantly colder”, wintry spells of rain are likely to hit “the hills of Scotland, but perhaps also to lower levels as colder air digs south”.
The forecaster admits that the “chance of any widespread or disruptive snowfall” affecting more populated areas “remains low” but temperatures are to fall “below average and feeling particularly cold in the strong winds”.
Today:
Northern Ireland will experience lingering fog and cold temperatures. The rest of the UK will enjoy dry and bright conditions with sunny spells, particularly in Scotland.
However, the far southeast will be cloudier with blustery showers throughout the day.
Tonight:
The southeast will continue to be blustery while the northwest will turn cloudy with drizzle. Clear spells elsewhere will lead to mist and fog, which could be thick in places, and frosty conditions for many.
Wednesday:
Fog and frost are expected to clear through the morning but may linger in Northern Ireland. Most areas will see sunshine, but light rain and drizzle are forecasted across western Scotland.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
The week will gradually become cloudier with occasional rain, mainly in the north. Chilly nights with fog and frost in places are also expected.
