UK faces '150 mile' snow blitz next week with 13 towns and cities hit

The UK faces a "150 mile" snow blitz, according to reports, as weather forecasters and meteorologists have their say over a downturn in conditions. As we head towards Christmas, meteorologists have warned the mercury is set to plunge.

Maps and charts from WX Charts, which are projected using Met Desk data daily, show the country turning white. Snow is predicted for northwest Scotland over Talmine, Tongue, Kylesku, Lairg, Ullapool, Dingwall, Garve, Kinlochewe, Strathcarron, Cannich, Fort Augustus and Mallaig.

The maps show snowfall hitting on Thursday, October 31, as the country marks Halloween and goes out trick-or-treating. In the wake of the reports, which have surfaced a week shy of the reported conditions, the Met Office has issued a forecast.

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Forecasters from the Met Office have not made any mention of snow as they issued an update on what lies in store for the UK from October 27 onwards. It said: "Initially breezy or windy with large amounts of cloud and some outbreaks of rain, especially in northern and western areas, with generally drier conditions farther southeast."

The Met Office forecast stretches into November 5 and adds: "However, high pressure is likely to build more strongly across southern UK into next week, tending to restrict the majority of any wet and windy weather to the far northwest."

The Met Office goes on, adding in its outlook: "That said, areas of cloud trapped underneath this area of high pressure may still produce some drizzly rain in places, with an increased chance of frost and fog under any lengthier clear spells, perhaps slow to clear."

The forecast adds: "Later next week and into the following weekend there may be a tendency for high pressure to retreat, bringing an increased chance of breezier conditions and some rain in places. Temperatures near-average for much of this period."