A shift in the jet stream will bring icy conditions down from the north to the UK and will mean up to 2cm of snow in places within days, weather-experts have said. Forecasters say the winter weather could hit as early as next week, with wxcharts suggesting northern areas and Scotland could get snow on November 18 and 19 and other models predicting snow much further south.
British Weather Services' senior meteorologist Jim Dale said around 1cm of snow is expected between Manchester and Birmingham, increasing to at least 2cm further north - and he said there could be snow in rural and higher land in northern Wales, reports The Mirror.
Mr Dale said: "There will be some limited snow in the northwest highlands by November 17 and in the northern Pennines. It will be just a dusting for now, but a growing threat for Scotland on November 19 and 20. It will be colder for all, though, within that period."
He added: "This will be caused by the movement south of the jet stream - pulling in moderated polar air from Greenland and Iceland way."
The Met Office says conditions around November 17, 18 and 19 are likely to remain unsettled with further outbreaks of rain and showers, especially in the west, where winds could be strong at times.
The forecast reads: "Eastern parts of the UK are likely to remain the driest, although could still experience intermittent rainfall.
"Moving further into November, high pressure may become more influential, bringing longer spells of dry and settled weather, with lighter winds."
For later in the month and into December the forecast reads: "Temperatures are expected to be near the seasonal average, perhaps rather cold at times later in the period."