Weather maps show the UK covered by a 608-mile wall of snow and rain, with temperatures plunging to -7C in parts of Scotland.
Snow and rain to sweep the country
According to weather charts generated by WXCharts, areas from Fort William in Scotland to Cornwall in England are expected to experience freezing conditions next week. The maps for November 17 show layers of snow accumulating around Fort William, Glasgow and Inverness, while the rest of the country is expected to be hit by heavy downpours.
The unsettled weather is forecast to arrive across the UK at around 6am on November 17.
Temperatures to plunge
According to the weather maps, temperatures are set to plunge to -7C near Fort William. Elsewhere in Scotland, including Glasgow, Inverness and Edinburgh, temperatures are expected to range between -3C and -5C, the maps suggest.
Temperatures are expected to dip well below the seasonal average by Thursday and Friday, bringing widespread frost across many parts of the country. In some sheltered rural locations particularly prone to cold weather, the mercury could fall to -6C or -7C.
Cold health alert issued
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a yellow cold health alert on Tuesday for the North West and West Midlands from 9am on Thursday to midday on Saturday. The agency warned that low temperatures can increase demand for health and care services and called on people to check on loved ones and neighbours.
Overnight frost is expected to develop in many areas, particularly across rural parts of the country, although colder conditions are forecast to become largely restricted to southern regions as the weekend progresses.
Long-range forecast
The Met Office's long-range forecast between November 16 and 25 reads: "Following the tail end of the colder, more settled conditions seen over the weekend, a marked transition to more changeable conditions is expected at the start of the period. This will allow areas of low pressure to move in from the Atlantic and bring bands of rain and periods of windy weather. There will be some brighter, showery spells in-between however, particularly in the north. Overall, this period is likely to be wetter than average for the majority of the country. And whilst colder conditions will be possible at times, it will often be mild, with temperatures near or a little above average for the time of year."
