Scots could be facing the big freeze in the coldest winter for 50 years according to some forecasters - but the Met Office has a different view.
Meteorologists at Exacta Weather said snow could be on its way by the end of the month, paving the way for a bitter November and December.
An Exacta forecaster said: "October is now looking like it will turn out to be colder than average with more of a chance of something wintry setting in through the second half of the month.
"There is a strong chance of widespread frosts and the chance of snowfall which will set the scene for November.
"This will pave the way for what is shaping up to be a colder than average winter with some extreme cold weather events.
"Snow events have been few and far between in recent years, but this winter is looking favourable to bring snow event after snow event as weather systems from the Atlantic clash with cold stagnated air over the UK."
But Steven Keates from the Met Office said it was difficult to predict exact weather events so far in advance.
He added: "By the end of October and start of November, it does look like there will be a cold interlude in the short term. The sun is losing its strength at that time of year and there may be some colder nights and some frosts.
"Temperatures could be in single figures and it will be a drier spell.
"At the moment, nothing particularly extreme is expected. Nothing that would be too much of a shock for the end of autumn, nothing particularly severe or particularly long lived."
