UK expecting cold snap

Homes in northern Scotland will be the first battered by freezing temperatures as mercury plummets below the seasonal average, forecasters have warned.

A sudden cold snap will start today, with temperatures falling below zero across the country and peaking at just 4C (39.2F) or 5C (41F), Meteogroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said.

North-westerly winds whipping off the Arctic are expected to bring at least two weeks of near-freezing conditions, making November up to 3C (37.4F) colder than last year.

A Meteogroup forecaster said: "It does look like much of the UK is in for a cold spell through next week. For at least a week, there will be cold north-westerly winds.

England and Wales will be grey tomorrow with some rain in places through the morning.

Scotland and Northern Ireland will be brighter with showers across western areas giving snow across the Scottish Highlands.

Chilly away from the far south - colder in the north, more so in the wind. A sign of things to come.

Much of the UK could be covered in a "nice and pretty" light dusting of snow in the middle of next week as it is set to get "noticeably colder".

Forecasters at MeteoGroup do not expect the snow to cause any disruption and believe temperatures will climb again by next weekend.

People everywhere will notice a significant cold snap as Tuesday brings highs of between just 4C and 6C, dropping below zero in many areas on Tuesday night.