UK snow forecast reveals exactly where and when two areas will be covered with up to 5cm

According to the Met Office's forecast, "weakening high pressure" will lead Atlantic weather conditions to "creep in" to the UK - bringing temperatures down to sub zero and single-digit levels

UK snow forecast maps have pinpointed two areas that could soon be hit by a deluge of snow, with inches set to fall before the week ends.

The mercury has recently plummeted across the country, setting the stage for the colder autumn predicted by the Met Office earlier this month, with temperatures now en route to the seasonal average. Single-figure lows have started becoming the norm in some of the warmest parts of the UK, and charts suggest they will only continue to plummet over the next week or so.

Weather maps show the more winter-esque lows could also give way to some flurries, which appear likely to settle in some parts of the country as early as November 19. The Scottish Highlands is expected to see the bulk of the snowfall, with 5cm forecast to settle especially at higher altitudes.

The Met Office long-range forecast, which covers November 8 to 17, states that "weakening high pressure" will allow Atlantic weather patterns to "creep into" the UK. The pressure, the forecast states, will whip up both wind and rain, with the agency expecting temperatures to warm up rather than cool down towards the end of the period.

A weakening of the recent high pressure is likely at the end of the week, allowing some patchy rain to creep into parts of the UK from the Atlantic at times, but with very little rain in the east and southeast. High pressure is then likely to rebuild more strongly towards the end of the weekend and more especially into the following week, leading to widely settled conditions.

However, it will still be breezy or even windy at times in the far northwest, where they may be some occasional rain. Elsewhere, often light winds may allow fog patches to form which could be slow to clear, with areas of low cloud also persisting at times. Temperatures will be warmer than average overall, although some occasional cold nights are possible.

It comes as an Arctic cold snap is forecast to sweep the UK this month with weather maps turning a frosty white as the country prepares to welcome 0C temperatures. Freezing weather, accompanied by rain, is predicted to hit Britain by November 16, with areas including Central Scotland bracing for the thermometer to nosedive to 0C. Areas including Glencoe and Glasgow will bear the brunt, while Brits in Anglesey and Conwy in Wales are also set to shiver at the same temperature.

Elsewhere in Scotland and Wales, temperatures will only be slighter lower, ranging from 1C to 2C. Ahead of the freeze, flood alerts have been issued for parts of country with some rivers remaining sensitive to rainfall. According to GOV.UK, flooding is possible in Ginge Brook, Abingdon, and around River Windrush from Bourton to Newbridge.

Areas in the firing line for a possible streams include the Steventon area down to and including Sutton Courtenay in Ginge Brook. From Bourton to Newbridge, areas that may be hit include Burford, Asthall, Minster Lovell, Crawley, Witney, Ducklington, Rack End and Standlake.