Brits are bracing for a freezing arctic blast set to sweep across the UK, with temperatures predicted to drop as low as 0C, according to recent forecasts.
Weather maps indicate that parts of northern Britain may struggle to rise above freezing towards the end of the month, while the rest of the country will experience single-digit temperatures.
The maps, created using Met Desk data by WX Charts yesterday, show the icy cold setting in at 6am on October 21, two weeks from now.
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If these long-range forecasts prove accurate, an icy blast is expected to freeze parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the North of England and parts of the Midlands overnight on October 22.
The maps predict sub-zero temperatures and also forecast a rainy night for many parts of the UK, with the South West, Wales, Midlands and north eastern coasts expecting a few millimetres of rainfall. Over higher ground in central Scotland, snow appears more likely, although it's not expected to be deep or long-lasting.
According to the WX Charts maps, the area is set to see only around a millimetre or so of snow near midnight on October 22. The Met Office's long-range forecast predicts that an area of high pressure will dominate in the coming days, bringing dry, settled weather until October 21, when more unsettled conditions are expected to move in, reports the Mirror.
Looking towards the weeks ahead, there's an increased likelihood that most, if not all, areas will experience periods of rainfall between October 21 and November 4, according to the Met Office, with the potential for blustery conditions arriving later in the month. Whilst conditions are expected to turn soggy by the end of this week, the approaching spell of high pressure will deliver fine, bright days for many as the week draws to a close.
The Met Office's extended forecast went on: "On Friday, the far north of the UK will see some rain and drizzle, and it will be rather windy here. Other western parts of the UK may also see some light rain and drizzle at times.
"The rest of the country will be dry with some bright or sunny spells and fairly light winds. Thereafter, high pressure is expected to dominate for most if not all of the rest of the period, bringing plenty of dry, settled weather.
"Cloud amounts will be variable, and some overnight fog is likely, this slowly clearing through the morning. Thicker cloud and some rain may affect the far north at times though.
"Temperatures will be near average overall, but with some chilly nights possible, perhaps with isolated frost.
"Whether this takes the form of successive depressions moving in from the Atlantic or a rather slower-evolving weather pattern remains to be seen, but there is a greater chance of most if not all places seeing spells of rain or showers and possibly strong winds later in the month, these conditions continuing into the start of November."