Britain could be plunged into a brutal -1C Arctic freeze as new weather maps turn icy blue across the country. Temperatures are forecast to tumble dramatically on Monday, October 12. Some 11 areas could face the coldest conditions as the chilly air sweeps across the UK.
Coldest conditions in Scotland
The latest WXCharts maps show the bitterest conditions concentrated across Scotland, where temperatures could fall below freezing. The map for 12pm on October 12 shows temperatures dropping to lows of -1C across parts of the central Highlands and Cairngorms, with much of the surrounding area also hovering around freezing.
The colder conditions could also bring snow to parts of Scotland, with separate WXCharts maps suggesting areas around Inverness could see some snow on the ground on October 12. Meanwhile, areas further south, including around Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Yorkshire, are shown facing rain.
Southern areas see milder lows
The latest WXCharts maps show temperatures gradually rising further south. Parts of Cumbria and Lancashire could see temperatures of around 3C, while much of Wales and the Midlands could see lows of roughly 4C to 6C.
A separate WXCharts map also shows a large pool of colder air spreading across Britain and northern Europe. Here, the chilliest air is again concentrated over North West Scotland, with the blue shading extending south across much of England and Wales.
Forecast could change
The Met Office's long-range forecast also points to "some chilly nights" during the period, although it says temperatures are expected to remain above average overall.
As the maps look almost two weeks ahead, the exact temperatures and areas affected could still change as newer forecasts are issued. The 11 areas facing the coldest temperatures are Highlands, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Angus, Stirling, Argyll and Bute, Cumbria, Northumberland, County Durham, and Lancashire.
