Met Office weather map shows parts of England could be hit by snow this weekend

Brits are bracing for a chilly weekend as temperatures plummet and snow is forecast in parts of the UK. The Met Office's latest forecast predicts that cold Arctic air from the north will bring flurries of snow to northern England, potentially hitting Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, as well as Scotland.

On Sunday, temperatures across the country will drop to just above freezing, with some areas experiencing even colder conditions at the start of next week.

The Met Office's weather radar map shows snow flurries across the Scottish Highlands on Saturday and Sunday, with heavy snow showers possible in Cumbria, Northumberland, and North Yorkshire by Sunday morning. By Sunday evening, a large band of snow is forecast over the Peak District, West Yorkshire, and eastern Greater Manchester.

READ MORE: GP describes six symptoms as cases of 'extremely contagious' virus on the rise in UK

READ MORE: Puppies found in cages as police raid Staffordshire 'chop-shop'

Although the Met Office notes that the chance of widespread or disruptive snowfall remains low, some areas may see snow between Sunday and Tuesday.

The Met Office forecast states: "Turning more unsettled and significantly colder as we head into the weekend with rain or showers for most regions, The heaviest and most frequent spells of rain are most likely in the north where they are likely to turn wintry, especially to the hills of Scotland, but perhaps also to lower levels in the far north as colder air digs south.

"The chance of any widespread or disruptive snowfall affecting more populated areas at this stage however remains low. Less certainty for the south but even here there is a chance of some more organised rain, and potentially some hill snow.

"Often windy, with a chance of gales at times, especially in the north and east. Temperatures falling below average and feeling particularly cold in the strong winds."

As we look further ahead towards mid-December, the Met Office forecasts that wet and windy Atlantic weather systems interspersed with colder, drier spells might lead to increased chances of snow, particularly on the hills in the northern parts of England.

Met Office meteorologist Zoe Hutin earlier this week remarked: "There is a chance of seeing some snow from the weekend onwards, but nowhere that we wouldn't expect to see at this time of year.

"I don't think we'll be seeing snow in London, it's not entirely out of the question, (but) there's a very, very low probability, just like there always is. It's quite confident to say that it's unlikely to see snow down in the south of England."

Get daily headlines and breaking news emailed to you - it’s FREE