An Arctic blast is set to bring sub-zero temperatures and snow to parts of the UK this week, following an unseasonably mild weekend. The Met Office has warned of widespread frost, ice and fog, with temperatures expected to drop as low as -12C in the Scottish Highlands on Monday night.
Forecasters predict that the cold snap will cause some travel disruption on higher ground, particularly in Scotland, Wales and northern England. The northern half of the UK could see snow on Tuesday as rain moves into colder air, while southern areas will remain milder initially before the cold air spreads southwards.
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said the sudden change is due to icy winds from the Arctic replacing milder air from the south. He noted that parts of Wales could see -5C and the Peak District -4C on Monday night, with widespread frost and icy patches expected.
By midweek, temperatures are expected to rise as warmer air from the west brings rain across the country, turning early snow to slush. The wintry start to December follows a weekend where parts of south-west England enjoyed highs of 16C.
