Met Office and BBC Weather say snow to hit UK with one place most at-risk

The Met Office says snow will hit the UK in the coming week amid a brutal -12C temperature change. As we head towards Christmas, snow is forecast across the Scottish Highlands, particularly mountainous areas, as the mercury plunges.

Forecasters stress small snowfall, especially across Scotland, isn't unusual this time of the year. Honor Criswick, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "Plenty of showers around coast of Scotland, Northern Ireland, plenty of blustery showers, too.

"It's going to feel quite chilly here as well. So some showers perhaps falling as snow over the high ground of Scotland." Ms Criswick added: "Temperatures really struggling so highs of only around 7C or 8C. Once again, in that key northerly wind, it is going to feel much chillier still."

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In a YouTube video on behalf of the Met Office, Ms Criswick explains how temperatures were 12C - but will now drop to 0C and hover above freezing. The BBC Weather forecast for Tuesday (December 17) explains: "Today will be breezy and mild with spells of rain for Northern Ireland and Scotland, heavy in the west later. England and Wales will be mainly cloudy, with rain arriving in the west by the evening.

"Tonight, it will remain cloudy, wet and windy, with spells of rain pushing eastwards, albeit turning patchier and lighter for most. The rain will remain heavy for the north-west, however. Mild." The Wednesday (December 18) outlook adds: "Very mild, breezy and cloudy tomorrow with a few light showers at first. Brighter for a time in the afternoon before heavy rain moves into Wales and south-west England. Showers in north-west Scotland."

The outlook for Thursday to Saturday goes on to say: "Windy and colder on Thursday, with wintry sunshine for most. Showers for some northern and western areas, however, wintry on the hills. Bright to start in the south on Friday, but cloudy in the north with rain pushing in, reaching the south into the evening.

"Very windy on Saturday, with cloud and blustery rain to start, followed by bright spells and showers in the north-west."