Met Office UK snow verdict revealed as horror maps show bitter Scandinavian blast incoming

The Met Office forecast for mid-November through to early December said the UK would see mixed spalls with chances of morning fog, longer spells of rain and cold spells

The Met Office has shared its long-range forecast as another weather service released maps showing parts of the UK facing temperatures of -5C and snowfall later this month.

In one map from WXCharts for November 21 parts of Wales, Northern Ireland, Western Scotland and England was covered in shades of light blue indicating temperatures could fall below 0C. The chilly blast could be seen arriving to the UK after sweeping south from Norway.

London and the South East were predicted to see temperatures falling to lows of OC. In northern England the mercury was set to tumble to around -1C while in Scotland's Highlands it was set to fall to a chilly 05C.

In its second map for November 22, most of Scotland, eastern Northern Ireland, Wales and the east coast of England were coloured varying shades of blue indicating probabilities of snowfall. The darker shades, indicating a higher probability, were seen in Scotland's Highlands and northern Scotland.

While snow has fallen in parts of the country outside the onset of winter and early spring, particularly in some areas in Scotland, there has only been a widespread covering of snow four times in the past 51 years. In the UK, snow or sleet falls on average 3.9 days in December, compared to 5.3 days in January, 5.6 days in February and 4.2 days in March, according to the Met Office.

But the Met Office, the UK's national weather and climate service, made no mention of snow in its long-range forecast. Instead, the weather service said it was likely there would be mixed conditions and chillier spells.

"Most areas should be largely dry with a good chance of sunny spells but also scope for overnight frost in clearer areas," the Met Office said in its November 12 to 21 forecast. "The influence of high pressure is likely to decline through the course of next week with an increasing chance of showers or longer spells of rain, initially more likely in the east.

"Thereafter, likely more mixed condition with some wetter, windier weather at times but also some drier interludes bringing the chance of morning fog patches. Temperatures overall around average though with potential for some rather cold spells."

The Met Office said the weather was likely to be more unsettled between November 22 and December 6. It added. Drier spells are expected between some wetter and windier periods.

"There is a greater chance of more mobile weather patterns which would see Atlantic systems periodically move across the country," the weather service long-range forecast said. "These bringing some wetter and windier interludes followed by drier periods.

"The wettest conditions likely across the northwest of the country with drier weather across the southeast. Some colder interludes possible but overall temperatures likely to be or above average."