The worst winter for more than 50 years is about to hit the UK as temperatures fall dramatically over the next week.
Snow is expected this month, with November and December also set to be especially cold.
"Through the weekend and into next week it looks like heavy rain at times and strong winds at times," Met Office weather forecaster Greg Dewhurst told Mirror Online.
And Exacta Weather forecaster James Madden added: "October is now looking like it will turn out to be colder than average with more of a chance of something wintery 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.
“While these could start to make an impact within the next few weeks they will be particularly troublesome from December onwards."
Mr Madden added: "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.
“This is relevant as solar energy effects ocean currents including the Gulf Stream currents which have a knock-on effect on the jet stream brining cold air in the UK and bringing these weather patterns.
“Applying these factors to long-range weather indications can successfully allow us to identify cold weather patterns coming up.
“Similar methods have allowed us to identify some previous record-breaking cold weather events such as those seen in 2010 and 2013 when cold weather lasted into spring."
