Snow is expected to fall in the UK as early as next weekend, according to new Met Office predictions.

The latest long-range forecasts, covering weather conditions up until the end of November, include the mention of “wintry showers” for the first time. This is due to the anticipated rapid drop in temperatures in the coming week. Forecasters anticipate that by the following weekend, snow is likely on higher ground, including areas across Scotland and northern England.

Greg Dewhurst, a meteorologist at the Met Office, explained that a bitter northerly wind will bring colder conditions, leading to the first significant snow flurries of this winter. He stated, “There are signs that, as we head towards the end of next week into the weekend, we could see some wintry showers to kick off in the northern half of the UK as winds turn a bit more northerly for a time.”

Mr. Dewhurst emphasized that such conditions are not entirely unusual for this time of year, and reports suggest that any periods of wintry weather won’t be “prolonged or unusually cold” during this period. He added, “Perhaps through the second half of next week, typically across the northern half of the UK, some sleet and snow showers are possible. At this time of year, there’s always risks, particularly on high ground, of some snow.”

The Met Office’s long-range forecast for Wednesday, November 22, to Friday, December 1, states, “Towards the weekend, rain may spread south across the UK and introduce cooler conditions from the north, with some wintry showers possible over the hills. It’s uncertain exactly when such a cooler spell would occur or how long it would last, and it’s possible that some areas, especially towards the south and west of the UK, may stay in the milder air throughout.”