UK weather maps turn blue as 11 inches of snow and -6C blast to smash Britain in weeks

The UK is currently enjoying a mild spell but weather maps show that later this month there will be an Arctic blast where temperatures drop as low as -6C and heavy snow will fall

Brits are set to see more than 30 centimetres of snow in just a matter of weeks when a -6C Arctic blast is predicted to hit our shores.

Maps show a low pressure system sitting over the UK in a couple of weeks bringing both rain and snow to large parts of the country. Cold air is moving southwards and the first snow is expected to hit central Scotland on the night of November 20 and then become more widespread towards the end of that week.

A map from WXCharts shows that for November 22 there will be a flurry of snow stretching down to East Anglia and covering northern and central parts of England and Scotland. While there is unlikely to be more than a few centimetres generally, in western Scotland a snow map shows that up to 34 centimetres could land. And it is set to be bitterly cold with the mercury dropping to -6C in the same area of western Scotland while practically all areas of the UK are expected to be below zero on November 22.

In the north west of England maps show it dropping to -4C and -2C in the southeast and London. It is a sharp change from the current mild spell which is expected to continue through the rest of this week with southeasterly winds and a high pressure system over the country.

Temperatures are set to reach the high teens in some areas over the coming days but the warm spell will not last and it will be markedly colder in mid-November according to weather maps. The Met Office forecast for November 21 to December 5 says that it will be more unsettled and with “colder interludes”.

It states: “A general trend towards more unsettled conditions for all parts seems more likely than not through this period. Initially, there may be something of a north-south split, with more unsettled conditions towards the north whilst drier conditions persist towards the south. However, as we head into December, a more unsettled and mobile picture will probably develop across all parts. Temperatures will probably be close to or a little above average overall, although some colder interludes are possible, especially in the north.”

Meanwhile for today, the Met Office says: "Another mostly cloudy day on Thursday, with the odd spot of drizzle at times. The best of the sunshine once again in the north, and remaining breezy here." And it is a similar outlook for the weekend: "High pressure close by will continue to bring a good deal of dry but often cloudy weather on Friday and Saturday. Outbreaks of showery rain on Sunday. Staying mild."