UK faces first snow of autumn this week as Met Office explains where's at risk

UK faces first snow of autumn this week as Met Office explains where's at risk
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Met Office forecasters say the first snow of autumn could hit THIS week. Ahead of the Arctic plunge and drop in mercury, a Met Office spokesaid the encroaching cold will set the stage for snow to fall in Britain, specifically over Scotland.

A Met Office spokesperson said: “A cold front sweeping south will introduce Arctic air to the UK, resulting in below average temperatures nationwide this week. It’s possible there could be some snow on the very tops of the highest peaks in Scotland.

"We’re talking above around 800 meters." Met Office spokesman Johnathan Vautrey said temperatures for most of the week will be 4-6C below average. “Many of us will see temperatures in the mid-teens – around 13-14C – whereas normally at this time of year it would be at least 16-18C, if not closer towards 19-20C in the far south east, places like London,” Mr Vautrey said.

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But temperatures will feel even colder and “more like single figures” for a lot of places due to strong winds. The forecaster said Thursday into Friday is likely to be the coldest night of the week, as temperatures in rural areas could drop below freezing.

“We could see some patchy frost developing in rural areas across all nations of the UK, particularly Scotland,” Mr Vautrey said. “For people waking up on Friday morning it could be quite a shock to the system as they’re walking out of the door.

“There is a small chance of some snow falling over the highest mountains of Scotland, but you’ll have to hike quite a way before you see any snow.” The Met Office forecast from September 15 to September 24 explains: "Initially fine for most locations during this period the early part of this period, with a weak front bringing cloud and patchy rain across central parts of UK returning northwards through Sunday into Monday, and perhaps bringing rainfall to the northwest, which could be heavy for a time across the hills of Northwest Scotland.

"This pattern is then likely to persist, with many areas likely remaining mostly fine, and the greatest chance of cloud and rain being across the far west and more especially northwest. Temperatures during this period are likely to be on the warmer side of average, but with settled conditions warm days could be offset by a few chilly nights.

"Towards the end of this period there is a signal that the more settled conditions may cease."