Snow could hit the UK later next week

Snow could hit parts of Britain as early as next week amid forecasters predicting overnight frosts to arrive within days. 

Snow flurries at the end of next week could hit Scotland, especially in higher areas, while much of the rest of the country could face overnight sharp frosts.  

For the past several days, much of the country has had dry and mild weather, with little wind and rain and only mild overnight frost.    

However, the BBC’s monthly forecast for November says ‘a surge of colder Icelandic air will spill across the UK over the final 10 days of November’ and this could linger into the beginning of December. 

‘A secondary push of colder Icelandic air’ is expected late next week, which will further drop temperatures’ the forecast states, adding that ‘sharp frosts may occur during some evenings late in the week’.

As temperatures drop, ‘a few spells of rain showers and even some patchy snow showers’ may hit the UK, mainly in Scotland, with winds also experiencing an uptick as the week progresses. 

The Met Office has also said spells of rain are likely with snow across higher ground which could ‘possibly fall to low levels at times’.  

Members of the public walk along the promenade at Portobello beach in the snow on February 12 following heavy snowfall

A car is seen driving through the snow brought to Kelso, Scotland, by Storm Darcy on February 10 earlier this year. More snow could be on the way to the UK in the coming days

Much of the UK is expected to see cloudy conditions over the next 72 hours with the possibility of rain showers 

Its outlook to December 2 says: ‘High pressure will often lie close to western or southwestern parts of the UK during this period. This will tend to bring to a colder than average north or northwesterly airflow for a time. 

‘The most unsettled conditions will likely be across northern areas. Here, showers or longer spells of rain are likely with snow likely across higher ground and possibly falling to low levels at times. 

‘Strong winds are possible across the north, especially around coasts. Further south, it is likely to remain somewhat drier with fewer showers, but there is even a slight chance of some wintry weather here. 

‘At points when winds ease any clearer and calmer conditions that prevail will lead to some cold nights with frost and fog.’ 

November has seen warmer than normal temperatures so far, particularly in parts of eastern Scotland, which are expected to continue until the end of the weekend. 

The calm conditions have been cited as one of the reasons why so many migrants are successfully crossing the English Channel from northern France. 

BBC forecasters have said that, while some showers over high ground in Scotland could fall as snow, it is not believed any significant accumulations will arrive.

Any settled snow will not persist as milder conditions move in on Monday.

By the middle of the week, though, there is an increasing chance that some colder air could once again move in from the north. 

Forecasters added that conditions for snow to fall are ‘quite specific’ and the likelihood of it falling in Britain will become clearer closer to the time.    

A Met Office spokesperson added: ‘Temperatures across the UK have been milder than average of late, notably in parts of Eastern Scotland where the Foehn effect has helped temperatures reach the mid-teens today. 

‘Through the weekend a colder mass of air will bring closer-to-average temperatures to the UK. There is a chance that some showers in Scotland over high ground could fall as snow, however no significant accumulations are expected, and any settled snow will not persist as milder conditions move in on Monday.

‘By the middle of the week there is an increasing chance that some colder air could once again move in from the north. There is uncertainty over how cold this air could be and how much progress it will make across the UK

‘As such there is also low confidence on the likelihood of any snow that could fall in the UK by the end of next week. The conditions required for snow to fall are quite specific and this level of detail will only be clear closer to the time. 

‘If there is snow, it would not be unusual as we move into late November and close to the start of winter.’ 

An Icelandic cold snap could hit the UK next week, depending on what happens with weather fronts out in the Atlantic and over continental Europe

There were pleasant conditions on the River Itchen near to Ovington in Hampshire with people out enjoying the warmer than normal conditions

The leaves of the trees turning golden brown and red remain on the branches having not been hit by the first winter storms

According to MeteoGroup: ‘Outbreaks of rain will continue across northern and western Scotland during the evening but elsewhere will be largely dry. Overnight, most areas will continue dry with some clear spells however there will be variable amounts of cloud and patches of mist will form. Rain will continue across Scotland.’ 

From tomorrow, early patches of mist will be slow to lift with cloudy conditions in Scotland. Much of the rest of the country will have sunny spells. 

On Saturday and Sunday rain will spread across Northern Ireland and Scotland and move towards northern England. 

However, those in the South of England will have sunny spells.