Met Office forecasts snow as UK faces Arctic blast as cold as Norway

UK temperatures are set to match parts of Norway this weekend as a blast of Arctic wind sends the mercury tumbling. The high pressure that has hovered over us will dissipate due to the fierce winds, leading to a sharp drop in temperature.

Forecasts indicate that Sunday will be particularly biting. Aberdeenshire could experience chills of -2C and the Scottish Highlands are bracing for a freezing -1C, while much of Scotland and northern England can expect 0C.

As per Ventusky's analysis, these conditions mean large areas of the UK will be chillier than some Norwegian locales. Coastal regions along the Norwegian Sea are predicted to have milder readings between 2C and 6C on Sunday, with even inland Norway facing 1C, which is comparatively warmer than certain Scottish regions and spots like Cumbria and Northumberland.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Rebekah Hicks said: "A notable early winter cold spell will arrive across the north from Sunday and will likely reach all parts of the UK by midweek. Temperatures will drop as a northerly airflow develops, bringing in colder Arctic air. This introduces the possibility of snow, initially over high ground in the north from Sunday, with gusty winds also a potential hazard."

The weather agency earlier predicted snow, and now with greater certainty, forecasts flurries especially over elevated terrain in Scotland, particularly in the Cairngorms. On Saturday, rain might turn into snow in southern areas like Cumbria and Yorkshire, should temperatures plummet, with a notable chill expected to begin on Sunday, reports the Mirror.

Ms Hicks elaborated, "There is a lot of uncertainty in what might happen after Sunday, but there are a number of scenarios which could bring some more widespread rain, along with some hill snow and stronger winds. It is possible that there may be some more widespread snowfall across lower ground, but the chance of this for any given region is low at this stage.

"What we do know is that the whole of the UK is likely to experience a spell of several days of cold, potentially disruptive weather next week. Warnings for wintry hazards, including snow and ice, are possible, so it's important to stay up to date with the latest forecast."