UK cold weather maps show exact date they turn icy blue as brutal -3C Arctic snap hits

The exact date UK will turn icy blue has been revealed with a brutal -3C Arctic snap set to blast Britain.

, bringing with it bitterly cold temperatures, wind, and some rain.

Temperatures will be lowest in central (Aberdeen, Inverness, Fort William), where they could plunge to as low as -3C at 6am on October 27.

The likes of Wick, , Glasgow, Dumfries and parts of northern England (Carlisle, Newcastle) will see temperatures between 0C and -1C.

On October 26, The rest of northern England (, Sheffield) and Wales (Cardiff, Conwy) will sit between 2C and 1C. The midlands (Birmingham, Norwich), south England (Plymouth, Southampton) and Northern Ireland (Derry, Belfast) will reach between 2C and 4C.

The Met Office's long-range forecast for October 22-31 has warned of overnight frost at the end of the month and where high pressure does develop, temperatures could be below average for this time of year.

It says: "The weather will remain generally unsettled, with showers or longer spells of rain. There will be drier interludes in-between, these probably lasting longer in the south and east.

"However, some bands of rain could become slow moving, bringing heavy rain locally. Towards the end of October there are signs that, whilst northwestern areas may continue to see some rain at times, high pressure may become increasingly influential across the UK, potentially bringing more widely settled and drier conditions for longer periods.

"This would bring an increased chance of overnight frost, and also fog which could linger during the mornings. Where high pressure does develop, temperatures will be around or below average for the time of year, with some chilly nights and early mornings likely."

Tonight:

A cooler night with light winds and clear skies that will allow mist and fog to form, particularly across central areas. It will turn windier with some rain in the northwest later.

Friday:

It will be windy with some local gales in the west and locally heavy rain gradually moving eastwards. Dry for most of the day in the east with bright or sunny spells.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

On Saturday, heavy rain will clear to leave a largely dry and bright day. It will turn wet and windy on Sunday with gales expected for many, but on Monday it will be brighter with winds easing.