Snow and the worst winter for years could be heading our way

An icy blast is set to herald the arrival of winter next week with sub-zero temperatures overnight and widespread frost.

By Tuesday most of the country could see wintry showers with the chance of some significant snowfall on higher ground in northern areas, Met Office forecasters say.

Although temperatures will hover around 46F (8C) in the daytime, it will feel much colder as the country is blasted by Arctic winds.

“By Monday we will start to get colder air from the north which will have moved all the way down the country by Tuesday,” a Met Office forecaster told the Daily Telegraph.

“There will be some quite strong winds and we could some snow falling even at low levels.

“The whole country will be in the colder air with the chance of some wintry showers. Any significant snowfall will be on higher ground in the North and possibly North Wales.”

The Daily Express claims Winter 2013 into 2014 will be “exceptionally severe” with above-average snowfall and plunging temperatures right up until February.

Exacta Weather said it is of "very high confidence, that many parts of the UK and Ireland will experience a significant and potentially historical period of extreme weather during this winter and into next spring (2014), that standard meteorology will and have to date underestimated".