UK weather: Met Office issues verdict on exact date 'Arctic blast' hits Brits this month

As November rolls on, some people may be wondering when the first flurries of snow are going to arrive, bringing with it falling temperatures and icy roads in the coming weeks

Brits wondering if the country is set to be hit by the first flurries of the season have their answer - and it is good news for those who do not like snow.

It has already been reported some snowfall is possible this month, with the first mapped to arrive as early as November 19, especially in places such as Scotland. Although the Met Office says there is “no indication” of widespread snow, temperatures will probably be close to or above average - with some colder spells around.

Spokesman Andrea Bishop told Country Living: “There is no indication of widespread snow at this time and snow is not something that can be forecast at such a long timeframe. Forecasting snow in the UK isn’t like some other places along the UK's latitude, where snow can be quite reliably forecast days or weeks in advance.

“Because of the UK’s location, where the air comes from is incredibly important when it comes to determining if snow is possible. Being surrounded by water also adds another factor to predicting snow chances in the UK.

"It may not feel like it if you dip your toe in, but the water in the seas around the UK is well above freezing and that affects the temperature of the air close to the surface which can determine how much snow is in the forecast.”

While it has been particularly mild recently with temperatures in the late teens across the UK, a spell of low pressure will see colder conditions arrive next week. The mercury peaked at 17.9C in Thomastown, County Fermanagh, yesterday but next Wednesday just 9C is forecast in the same area, 8C is expected across north Wales and it'll be even colder across Scotland.

The wind direction - and speeds - are changing and so significantly fresher air will arrive from the Arctic. Writing on its long-range forecast for next week, the Met Office says: "After a bright start, increasingly cloudy conditions are likely to develop by midweek, with patchy drizzle possible at times. Some fog is also possible, this is slow to clear. Later next week, it looks like turning more unsettled for a time, with some rain or showers, particularly towards the east."

November has so far been a very dry month, largely due to the "anticyclonic gloom" the country has experienced for a while. This has caused significant clouds, sometimes low-lying and often with fog patches, to linger. Croydon, south London, was the wettest area on Wednesday but even then, it only saw a mere 0.3 inches of rainfall.