Wintery blast to hit Britain

10:30 11 December 2009

After forecasters predicted a mild December, things are set to take a turn over the next fortnight.

An icy blast is making its way in from Scandinavia making the UK decidedly colder as the mercury dips below freezing.

Temperatures will fall to -3C (27F) during the night causing widespread frost and ice, and could drop as low as -7C in the run up to Christmas.

It could even mean a white Christmas for some of us though experts at the Met Office are as yet undecided about this, saying it is "far too early" to accurately predict this. To produce snow, the cold snap needs to clash with moist air, which looks unlikely with present conditions.

According to the Met Office, the last official white Christmas was in 2004, when snow was widespread across Northern Ireland, Scotland, parts of Wales, the Midlands, north-east and far south-west England.

Daytime temperatures may not rise much above freezing in places, with mist and fog that could persist in one or two areas.

Met Office Chief Forecaster, Frank Saunders said: "The change of weather follows a spell of very wet and mild weather but the coming days will add a more seasonal flavour for anybody out Christmas shopping."

Clear skies will mean the UK will enjoy some winter sunshine during the day, but it will also be ideal conditions for widespread frost.

Motorists are being advised to take extra care on the roads as fog and ice could cause hazardous driving conditions.