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Temperatures set to drop as forecasters predict coldest winter since 2012

The scene on a street in Chiswick, London, as heavy snowfall hits the UK.
Could we be in for a white Christmas? (Stock picture: Getty)

Temperatures are set to drop this week thanks to an icy blast bringing strong winds and torrential rain as Britain heads into what experts are predicting could be the coldest winter in eight years.

Following several relatively mild winters, this year is reportedly expected to be colder than average, with forecasters warning of the possibility of lower temperatures than usual, and bookmakers slashing odds on a white Christmas in parts of the country.

The Met Office is forecasting a “chilly night” on Sunday night with the possibility of frost, with wet and windy weather set to hit the north-west on Monday.

Later in the week, there are due to be “clearer, colder and drier conditions following with overnight frosts and stubborn morning fog patches”, it said.

Temperatures are set to drop this week, according to the Met Office. (Picture: Met Office)
Temperatures are set to drop this week, according to the Met Office. (Picture: Met Office)

Its long range forecast also predicts colder conditions from Friday (November 27) onwards, with more frost due.

It also said temperatures between November 27 and Sunday, December 6 could be “below average”.

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Moving through December, overnight frosts will become “more prevalent”, the Met office said, along with an increasing chance of “wintry precipitation over higher ground in the north”.

The Weather Company told the Mirror that we could be in for the coldest winter since 2012, giving people a shock after several mild winters.

Leon Brown, head of meteorological operations, told the newspaper: “A colder-than-average December is favoured, with Arctic influxes from the north-west due to the jet stream's position.

“-10C in Scotland and -5C in England is expected, with snow in the north including to lower levels at times, and a risk in the south, with some travel disruption.

Bookmakers are also slashing odds on the possibility of a white Christmas this year, with Scotland and Newcastle predicted to be most likely to get snow on December 25.

Coral are offering odds of 3/1 for snow on Christmas Day in Edinburgh and Newcastle, while Paddy Power has 4/1 for Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Dundee to get the white stuff.

Ladbrokes put odds of a white Christmas at 5/4 and also put Edinburgh and Newcastle as the most likely cities to see snow at 3/1.

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