Weather maps have revealed for the first time that snow heading for the UK in a matter of days could hit as far south as London.
Purple patches on maps from WXCharts indicated several centimetres of the white stuff could hit the capital at the start of next month.
Previously it was thought the freezing conditions would only reach the north and Scotland but new data indicates southerners could be in line for wintry showers.
By next weekend, snow is likely on higher ground, including across Scotland and northern England, forecasters anticipate.
Greg Dewhurst, meteorologist at the Met Office, said bitter northerly wind will cause colder conditions and the first significant snow flurries of this winter.
He said: “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.”
But Mr Dewhurst said perhaps through the second half of next week, typically across the northern half of the UK, some sleet and snow showers are possible.
Writing on its long-range forecast, which covers Wednesday November 22 to Friday December 1, the Met Office said: “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 added: “It’s uncertain exactly when such a cooler spell would occur or how long it would last.”
In the short term cold temperatures are expected into mid-week, Jim Dale from British Weather Services said: “The freezing temperatures will probably revert by midweek next week with overnight frosts in the glens around -1C to -5C.
“It is all very interchangeable at the moment. Most of the focus right now is on the universal wind and rain, with this Thursday being monitored very carefully.”
