Scotland could blanketed in almost 19 inches of snow as an arctic blast descends on the country from next week.
The adverse wintry conditions are expected to kick off from Thursday, January 7 as snow moves into the north west of the country, according to weather website WXCHARTS.
They will then continue in largely scattered areas of the country in the days that follow.
Some southern parts of the country could also see heavy snowfall, with Midlothian expected to be covered in around 23cm of the white stuff on January 8.
Around 48cm of snow could then fall on the areas around the Isle of Skye as the conditions peak on Sunday, January 10.
Brain Gaze, from the Weather Outlook, is expecting the conditions to be ‘disruptive’ across the UK from next week.
He told the Mirror : “It will stay cold with an increased risk of showers in eastern Britain.
“I expect them to bring a mix of rain, sleet and snow.
“Snow is most likely inland and over the hills where disruptive accumulations are possible.”
The Met Office has given a more cautious long range weather forecast, with ‘some sleet and snow’ expected for the far northwest of the country next week.
Frosty conditions are expected to continue in Scotland next week as the temperatures remain below average for this time of year.
Rain and strong winds have been forecast for the middle of the month as temperatures climb slightly.
A spokesperson for the Met Office added: “During the middle of January unsettled conditions are likely to affect southern and central parts of the UK with drier weather expected for the north and west.
“Whilst generally remaining colder than average some milder interludes are possible in the south.
“Toward the end of the month, colder conditions become more probable, this bringing an increasing chance of snow.”
