UK weather: Met Office confirms when snow is likely as Britain plunges into winter

The Met Office has confirmed the first snow of this winter is likely to blanket the UK in just a few weeks.

Forecasters said a "colder period" is starting soon and, although most parts of the country are unlikely to see snowy weather just yet, some higher areas could be blanketed by the end of this month.

It includes the Scottish mountains and higher ground in England and Wales, Met Office senior meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said.

Mr Dewhurst explained: "We’re likely to see some snowy weather in higher parts as October moves into November.

"Likely areas to be affected are the Scottish mountains as well as higher ground in northern England and northern Wales.

Low areas are unlikely to see snowy conditions soon, the Met Office said (Getty Images)

"Low areas are unlikely to see any. It’s quite normal for this time of year."

The Met Office's long-range forecast from October 20 to November 3 says the weather will turn more widely unsettled across the UK.

The wettest and windiest conditions will remain in the north and northwest, while southern and eastern areas are likely to experience more settled weather.

Snow fell in Southend on Sea in February this year (Getty Images)

The forecast adds: "Moving forward, wider dry spells are likely across the country, with the risk of overnight fog which will clear by day.

"Through this period temperatures will remain near or above average.

"There is a chance of a colder settled period becoming established by early November."

This week, the UK has been hit by flooding with "knee-deep" water in some parts of the country.

A colder period is starting, forecasters have said (Getty Images)

Floods have submerged roads in Devon, Gloucestershire, Plymouth, Sussex, Kent and Dorset yesterday morning.

While cities such as Exeter, London, Newcastle and Liverpool were also left underwater after heavy rain.

The floodwater caused chaos across the nation, shutting down motorways and blocking roads.

Even trains were disrupted as railway tracks were left underwater leading to delays for commuters across the UK.

Flooding in Knightsbridge, London, on Tuesday (PA)

On Wednesday, the weather forecast is for it to remain settled in most places, with sunny conditions in southern and eastern areas.

Later in the afternoon, the North and West will turn cloudy, with outbreaks of rain, the Met Office said.

Rainfall is expected to be heavy in western Scotland, but elsewhere the weather will be mostly dry and mild.

UK 5 day weather forecast

Today:

Any lingering cloud and rain far east England clearing, otherwise a bright and chilly start. Turning cloudy in the north and west with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, heaviest across Northern Ireland and western Scotland. Otherwise fine and dry.

Tonight:

Cloudy in the north and west, with outbreaks of rain, especially western Scotland where persistent and occasionally heavy. Elsewhere, mostly dry and mild but turning cloudier.

Thursday:

Some rain and drizzle in west, this persistent and occasionally heavy across western Scotland and Northern Ireland. Bright or sunny periods developing south and east Britain, feeling warm.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday:

Rain continuing across parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland before easing over the weekend. Largely dry elsewhere with variable cloud and early fog patches. Temperature above average at first.