Met Office verdict on 'Arctic blast' snow and ice

Fears that an Arctic blast could engulf the UK with freezing weather have been quashed by the Met Office. Weather maps from WXCharts this week suggested temperatures could plunge to as low as -8C on November 20, with some reports also predicting up to 30 centimetres of snow.

However, the Met Office has confirmed that although a 'bit of a change' is on its way, there is no snow currently forecasted and temperatures are set to remain around average for this time of year. The other good news is the sun is set to make a return to the skies next week.

Website WXCharts visualises different models of future weather patterns from forecasters around the world. However, a one-off weather model is not a forecast.

Organisations like the Exeter-based Met Office run hundreds of weather models to predict future patterns. The data presented by WXCharts was not false, but it is inaccurate to then report a single weather model from that data as a forecast.

Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon told the Independent: "There is no sign of snow in the current forecast period, but there is a bit of a change on the way over the next few days. The current cloudy conditions with patchy bits of drizzle will break up early next week to bring some sunny skies for much of the UK on Monday.

"This will bring in some chillier conditions, but many will likely enjoy the reemergence of the sun after a somewhat gloomy start to November."

Mr Dixon said further unsettled weather in northwestern parts of the country could be possible in the second half of November, with the chance of it spreading further south at times. He added that temperatures were likely to be around average for most, with the possibility of cooler periods at times.

The weather forecast for the south west today, November 9, is another predominantly cloudy and dry day but possibly damp in places, with intermittent drizzle in south Devon and parts of Cornwall. West Cornwall may turn brighter through the afternoon.

It will be chilly in eastern counties, and milder in the west with light southeasterly winds. The maximum temperature will be 13°C.

Tonight it will remain largely cloudy overnight with hill fog developing and perhaps turning misty in some coastal areas in the west. There is also an increasing chance of showery rain in places. It will be relatively mild with a minimum temperature of 7°C.

Tomorrow, November 10, it will be mainly cloudy with drizzle or showery rain in places and the odd brighter spell. It will be murky over some hills and coasts and will feel milder, especially in any brightness. Winds will stay light. The maximum temperature will be 15°C.

Monday will start cloudy with isolated showers, but turning sunnier later. It will be largely fine on Tuesday but probably cloudier by mid-week with an increasing chance of rain. Temperatures will be near to average.