New UK weather maps show exactly where and when 72 hours of nonstop snow will fall

The country will soon be plunged into sub-zero temperatures, with thick snow on the way for several towns and cities - as forecasters warned the dramatic change would be 'one to watch'

Large areas of the UK will soon be blanketed by snow that will fall for 72 hours - with temperatures also set to plummet to -10C, forecasters warn.

New maps from WX Charts show a dark purple formation across the British Isles, as the country plunges into sub-zero temperatures from as early as next week. Forecasts powered by Met Desk data have also predicted snow is on its way for several towns and cities, and will likely fall over a couple of days. Weather guru Jim Dale, senior meteorologist and founder of British Weather Services, said the upcoming snowfall would be "one to watch" amid falling temperatures.

The expected whiteout is set to cover Wales, Birmingham, the Cotswolds, and travel right down to Southampton, while the Lake District and Pennines are set to feel the brunt of the snowy blast. Until then, the north of England and Scotland will endure bitterly cold temperatures dipping below zero, with some areas facing icy blasts as low as minus six degrees.

Similarly frosty conditions are expected in the west of England, Wales, and Ireland, with the map's purple section indicating temperatures plummeting to as low as -10C. According to WX Charts, peak snowfall is set to hit around October 11. Weather expert Jim Dale said it would be "one to watch,"

He added: "It's the cold backside of ex-hurricane Kirk, which by then may have become Storm Ashley. As it moves through England and Wales and out into the North Sea on October 11 and October 12, that cold air surges in behind giving the potential of some temporary wet snow, especially over higher ground. However, long ways to go with the steerage on all of that and strong winds/heavy rain from that system are likely to be the first points of concern."

The Met Office's latest forecast has meanwhile warned Brits of an unsettled week ahead: "An Atlantic low pressure system will drift eastwards across the UK through the first part of next week. This will bring widely unsettled conditions, with showers or longer spells of rain, heavy and persistent at times, especially over hills. Strong winds are possible too, with exposed and windward coastal areas prone to the strongest winds."

It adds: "The theme of low pressure will continue to dominate the weather for the rest of the week, with showers or longer spells of rain. There is a possibility that a deeper low pressure system, ex-Hurricane Kirk, will move close to the UK around mid-week, bringing further spells of wet and windy weather. Alternatively, this system could remain to the west of the UK. However, the theme of unsettled weather is expected to prevail."