Exact date UK hammered by -9C 'snow bomb' which will last 'five days'

Weather maps and charts show an alleged "snow bomb" blitzing the UK with a -9C Arctic blast sparking a deep freeze lasting as long as 10 days. Maps from Ventusky, as well as WX Charts, with the latter using Met Desk data, hint at the downturn in conditions.

Jim Dale, Founder and the Senior Meteorological Consultant at British Weather Services, told Express.co.uk the nation was looking at potentially a "five-day wintry blast" with some "significant" snowfall in England. He said: "From November 18 to 24, with the middle part being the most prone.

"Northern and Midland areas still the odds on favourite especially, the hills and mountains, but can’t rule out the south at this point. It is heading towards some significant disruption but it will be an hour-by-hour watch as it all unfolds."

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Maps show up to 50cm settling in parts of the Scottish Highlands and with large amounts also on higher ground in Wales and England. In the short-term, the BBC Weather team has issued its forecast for Thursday (November 14) onwards, lasting into the weekend.

"Tonight, north-east Scotland and central-southern Wales and England will see the best of clear skies. Elsewhere, a cloudy night in northwestern areas and hill fog in parts of Scotland," it says, adding: "Tomorrow will be cloudy and windy for much of the north with a band of heavy rain sweeping into north-west Scotland by the evening. Mostly bright skies for southern England and southern Wales."

The weekend outlook adds: "Windy on Saturday, particularly in northern Scotland with blustery showers for the north and west; some wintry over the highest hills. Elsewhere, partly cloudy with lighter showers. A colder, blustery day on Sunday with showers for many, some wintry over the northern hills.

"A crisp day for most on Monday with showers in the far north, heavy rain possible in the far south late."