Exact date Brits should prepare for snow as UK prepares for cold snap dubbed 'week in the freezer'

Met Office forecasters have warned of an impending cold snap, with temperatures set to plummet to -1C later this month. The UK has already experienced a significant drop in temperature, with lows in the low single figures dominating the weather in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

The wintry conditions have led to people wrapping up warm earlier than usual, with even southern England seeing daily lows of 2C to 3C this month. Although the temperatures are not unusually cold for this time of year, they have caught some people off guard, and it seems November will continue to bring chilly weather over the next two weeks.

According to the Met Office's latest temperature maps, the mercury will dip from next week, reaching -1C by November 20. The maps show Glasgow will experience temperatures as low as -1C at 6 am, while other areas will see a maximum temperature of 5C, reports the Mirror.

Other forecasters, such as WXCharts, predict temperatures will drop even lower, to -2C, with snow expected to arrive by November 23. Jim Dale, chief forecaster at British Weather Services, told the Daily Mirror that the upcoming cold spell will feel like a "week in the freezer", saying: "The board is set, the pieces are moving! This one is looking like a full week in the freezer before it relents."

"The weather models will ebb and flow but the latest is spelling a very deep snow time (several inches) for the Midlands and Pennine towns and villages. Scottish hills and mountains go without saying. Traffic dislocation and dangers appear inevitable. But it all means nothing for how Christmas may turn out."

The Met Office's most recent long-range forecast, covering November 18 to 27, also suggests snow as early as late November, albeit less severe than what some predictions indicate. According to the forecast: "Frequent wintry showers are expected, mainly in the north and along eastern and western coasts where exposed to the strong north to northwesterly flow."

"Snow is likely to fall to low levels, especially in the north. Many inland areas may be largely dry with lengthy sunny spells, especially where sheltered from the flow. However, there is a risk of some more organised areas of rain and hill snow running east across more southern parts."

"The chance of any widespread or disruptive snowfall affecting more populated areas at this stage remains low though. Cold everywhere with overnight frost, and the strong winds will result in significant wind chill. There is a hint that it may become less cold later in the period, with more of a westerly flow becoming established."