SNOW will hit parts of the UK next week as winter's chill deepens following a sub-zero Arctic plunge.
The mercury plummeted to -7C as far south as Dorset in the early hours of Friday morning as high pressure forces temperatures down.
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Snow is set to return following one of the coldest nights of winter so far 5
Forecasters have warned people living in Scotland and parts of the north-east that they'll see flurries within a fortnight
Those living in Wales experienced the coldest night of the season so far, with -6C recorded in Sennybridge.
And forecasters are now predicting snow in Scotland next Thursday, January 27, with more to come in the north-east in early February.
The Met Office says there'll be flurries within the fortnight.
The long-range forecast for February 3 to 17 reveals: “Early February is likely to see a north/south split with more settled and cloudy weather expected in the south.
"The north will be more changeable - milder and drier than average for most.
SNOW JOKE
“There is an increased likelihood of more unsettled conditions becoming established.
"The north-west is likely to be wettest, but showers or longer spells of rain may spread to most areas at times. The south-east is likely to be the driest.
“Spells of strong winds are likely to develop more widely at times in February.
"Temperatures are likely to be near or slightly above average although short-lived colder interludes are possible."
Forecaster Clare Nasir said: “There will be Arctic air streaming down from the north delivering snow showers, particularly in the far north-east of the country."
WXCharts says there'll be snow in northern parts of Scotland next week.
WINTER BITES BACK
Areas in the west will be hardest-hit, it's believed.
But ahead of that, skies will likely be clear - meaning the cold is here to stay.
Meteorologist Alex Deakin said plenty will see frost as the weekend begins.
“High pressure continues to dominate our weather," he said.
"It means most of us are not going to see much rain this weekend.
“Some pockets of frost will be seen across the east."
However, the bitter chill may not last for much longer.
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Some weather models are suggesting signals for cold next month are getting weaker.
It means that if the high pressure continues, there could be some balmier weather on the way.
Emphasising that the forecast isn't clear enough yet to make an accurate prediction, Brian Gaze of The Weather Outlook said: "I wonder if we could have an early taste of spring?"
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It was -7C in Dorset last night - but there's plenty more cold to come before spring arrives Credit: Startraks 5
Forecaster WXCharts has predicted snow in Scotland next week Credit: BNPS 5
The north-east will also see flurries by early February Credit: Startraks
UK weather forecast for Friday 21 January - Brits to shiver as temperatures dip