Time to wrap up! Temperatures could drop as low as -5C tonight as frost descends on Britain – with ‘significant snow’ expected to fall in DAYS

• Temperatures could drop to -5C tonight as frost descends with snow expected 

It may be time to dig out your winter woollies, with Arctic winds bringing the first frost this weekend – with Britain braced for snow in a matter of days.

It will finally start to feel like winter with temperatures down to -5C (23F) in rural parts of southern England at night, with further cold spells forecast next week.

Daytime temperatures are expected to stay in single digits across the country this weekend but overnight will feel icy cold. 

Friday night is poised to be the chilliest evening of the year nationwide.

For much of the autumn the jet stream has been moving across the Atlantic, but this week it will blow from the north, directing a flow of air from the Arctic.

It will feel particularly chilly in eastern and northern parts exposed to the strongest of those winds.

COUNTY DURHAM: Waves crash against the lighthouse in Seaham Harbour on Friday

LONDON: Mounted police ride in the autumn sunshine in St James’s Park

OXFORDSHIRE: Spectacular skies at dawn over the countryside in Dunsden

A Met Office spokesman said travel was not expected to be disrupted and the temperatures were ‘typical early winter conditions’.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Harris said next week is expected to be cold and with just a scattering of rain and showers. 

But he warned: ‘There is a chance that a more active weather system arrives from the South West, which would bring more widespread rain, stronger winds and the potential for more significant snowfall should the air over the UK become sufficiently cold ahead of it.

LONDON: It may be time to dig out your winter woollies, with Arctic winds bringing the first frost this weekend – with Britain braced for snow in a matter of days

BERKSHIRE: Autumnal colours warmed by the bright afternoon sunshine in Sonning on Thames – but a cold snap may be on the way

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE: Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Harris said next week is expected to be cold and with just a scattering of rain and showers

LONDON: A Met Office spokesman said travel was not expected to be disrupted and the temperatures were ‘typical early winter conditions’

TYNEMOUTH: Waves crash over Tynemouth pier on the North East coast of England on Friday

‘A continuation of colder than average conditions seems most likely.’

As to whether we are likely to see a white Christmas, the jury is still out.

Helen Caughey, a Met Office deputy chief forecaster, said: ‘Whilst it is too early to give any indications for Christmas, some colder weather is likely.’

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