UK weather maps show temperatures plunging to 1C in October chill

New weather maps indicate a sharp drop in UK temperatures, with parts of the country turning white as the mercury falls as low as 1C. The coldest conditions are expected across Scotland, where minimum temperatures could fall into the low single figures.

Coldest cities revealed

A WXCharts weather map valid for 12pm on Thursday, October 15, shows minimum temperatures dropping this low in parts of northern Scotland. Other areas of northern Scotland are shown at around 2C to 4C, with chilly conditions stretching across much of the country.

Inverness is among the coldest cities on or close to the map's grid at around 3C, while Aberdeen and Dundee are around 4C. Perth, Stirling, Dunfermline, Glasgow and Edinburgh are all shown at approximately 5C, while temperatures begin to climb further south.

England and further south

In England, Carlisle is around 6C, while Newcastle, Manchester and Leeds are close to 7C. Sheffield is shown at roughly 7C to 8C. Conditions become gradually milder towards southern England, although parts of the Midlands are still shown with minimum temperatures in single figures.

Temperatures are forecast to increase slightly as the day progresses. A second WXCharts weather map, valid for 6pm on October 15, shows minimum readings across much of Scotland in the mid to high single figures.

Met Office outlook

Minimum temperatures of around 5C to 9C are widely shown across Scotland, while northern England is generally around 7C to 10C. Conditions are milder further south, with parts of southern and southeastern England shown at approximately 10C to 12C.

The chilly spell comes during what the Met Office expects to be a changeable period of weather across Britain. Its long-range forecast says: "It will likely be quite changeable through the middle of October, as a series of low pressure systems run across the North Atlantic, often to the north and northwest of the UK, bringing occasional bands of rain and strong winds, but interspersed with brighter and more showery conditions."

Western parts of the country could bear the brunt of the wet weather during the period. The Met Office added: "Rain will be most prevalent across hills in the west and especially northwest, where above average rainfall is likely through this period."

There is a better chance of longer dry spells in sheltered parts of southern and eastern Britain. The forecast said: "Longer drier interludes are more favoured in sheltered southern and eastern parts, but even here it is likely to be wetter than during recent weeks."

Despite the particularly low readings shown for October 15, the Met Office expects the period as a whole to be somewhat warmer than average across many areas. It said: "Whilst brief cooler interludes are possible, temperatures are likely to be a little above average in many areas for the period as a whole."