UK snow maps show 25 counties that will get snow in just weeks - full list

Britain is bracing for a major Arctic blast later this month, with forecasters warning of widespread snow and plunging temperatures across the country. According to the latest WXCharts weather maps, generated on Sunday (November 9), much of the UK could see a wintry turn by Sunday, November 23, as freezing air sweeps in from the north.

Scotland is expected to bear the brunt of the cold snap, with the Highlands and parts of Aberdeenshire seeing snow depths of up to 18 to 20cm. Purple shading on the latest GFS weather maps indicates deep snow accumulation extending from Inverness to Perth and Fife, while flurries are also likely across the Central Belt and even into Edinburgh. Northern England and parts of Wales are also expected to see snow, with white showers forecast for the Pennines, Cumbria and North Wales. Areas around Manchester, Newcastle and the Peak District may wake up to a light dusting, while the Midlands could see a mix of sleet and rain.

Further south, conditions are expected to remain wet and chilly, with temperatures dipping close to freezing overnight on Sunday.

A second weather map, showing maximum temperatures for November 23, also generated on Sunday, shows that by the early hours of Sunday, November 23, temperatures could fall to around -1C to -2C in the Highlands, with frost forming across central and northern regions. Further south, temperatures of 0C to 3C are forecast for northern England and parts of Wales, while the Midlands and southern England will hover between 4C and 7C.

The Met Office's current long-range weather forecast for November 22 through to December 6 reads: "Whilst the expected weather patterns during late November are highly uncertain, there is a greater chance of spells of high pressure during this period, bringing more in the way of dry weather compared to the current weather pattern, which also increases the chances of overnight fog and frost.

"There will probably still be some spells of rain, showers, and stronger winds though, especially in the west. Hill snow is also a possibility, mainly in the north. Overall, near or slightly above average temperatures are most likely, though some colder spells are also possible, especially should any prolonged settled spells develop."

WXCharts models show a strong high-pressure system building to the west of Ireland, funnelling cold Arctic air straight towards the UK. As a result, widespread frost and icy conditions are likely to follow, bringing a true taste of winter as November draws to a close.

Scotland:

Highland (Inverness area)

Aberdeenshire

Moray

Perth and Kinross

Angus

Stirling

Fife

Argyll and Bute

Aberdeenshire (coastal and inland portions)

Dumfries and Galloway (southern edge)

Northern Ireland:

County Antrim

County Londonderry

County Down

England:

Northumberland

Cumbria

County Durham

North Yorkshire

West Yorkshire

Lancashire

Greater Manchester

Derbyshire (Peak District area)

Cheshire

Shropshire

Wales:

Gwynedd

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