Arctic blast to hit UK with snow and sub-zero temperatures

The UK could be in for freezing onslaught as sub-zero temperatures are forecast across the nation. New weather maps show an Arctic blast hitting areas with heavy snowfall, relentless rain, and biting -1C winds - with Devon among the most affected zones.

WX Charts predicts a plunge into sub-zero temperatures starting from November 7, with the cold snap commencing on the evening of November 6 and lasting until midnight on November 8. Some areas may experience a frosty -2C, with Scotland, Wales and Devon among the most affected zones.

Northwest Scotland is predicted to be the hardest hit, potentially receiving a steady snowfall rate of "2cm every hour," reports the Mirror. Areas such as Wick, Inverness, and Aberdeen are set to experience the worst of the winter onslaught.

It comes as several UK towns were warned to prepare for a 150-mile-long snow blast as early as the Halloween weekend. Brits in northwest Scotland can expect to see some local areas blanketed in snow, including Talmine, Tongue, Lairg, Ullapool, Dingwall, Garve, Fort Augustus, and Mallaig.

In Wales' Ceredigion, the wind chill is set to plummet to lows of -4C. Other regions bracing for the blast include Herefordshire, Lincolnshire and Cumbria. Meanwhile, Scotland's Cairngorms National Park will see temperatures dropping to a bone-chilling -10C. The icy chill is due to a jet stream from the Arctic, adding to an already unsettled picture for the UK.

The Met Office's long range weather forecast from October 29 to November 7 spoke of the arrival of frost and fog, which may be slow to clear. Breezier conditions and outbreaks of rain will likely hit the far north and northwest, with potential to spread farther south later in the week.

The forecaster said this will allow "some colder air to filter into parts of Scotland with perhaps some snow over high ground", adding: "Otherwise, high pressure will tend to dominate for much of the rest of this period across more southern, and perhaps central, areas, with a continuation of drier than average conditions likely."

Weighing in on November's snow prospects, the BBC's Weather team said: "Friday's outlook may provide a little more clarity regarding the patterns that will prevail at from the beginning of November. At present, the long-range weather prediction models are still showing conflicting trends.

"Conditions are likely to turn more unsettled and windy for the rest of this week, with temperatures dropping sharply. The outlook for next week has become milder and a bit calmer, with occasional dry spells, although there is still a risk of colder conditions breaking through at some point later next week or so."