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An arctic blast will send temperatures down to -12C in parts of the UK this week after an unusually mild weekend for the season.
The more hilly parts of Scotland are braced for the coldest weather, although forecasters expect widespread sub-zero conditions in rural areas on Monday and Tuesday.
The wintry start of December follows a weekend when parts of the southwest England enjoyed temperatures of up to 16C on Sunday.
The cold snap is expected to cause some disruption to travel at higher elevations, with ice, sleet and fog forecast for the first half of this week, forecasters said.
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said the sudden change in temperature was due to icy winds from the Arctic that swept across the UK on Monday, replacing milder air from the south.
He said: “It could be -12C on Monday night in the higher parts of Scotland where we have a blanket of snow. Not unusual considering it’s winter now.
“Things are getting colder from the north, certainly in the higher parts of Scotland we will see some wintry showers which will remain milder in the south, although colder air will move south on Monday.”
Petania said parts of Wales could see temperatures as low as -5C and higher areas in England, such as the Peak District, are expected to reach -4C on Monday night.
He added: “There could be widespread frost and patches of ice in places and there could be the odd mist or fog on Tuesday morning.”
The northern half of the UK could see snow on Tuesday as the rain moves into colder air at higher ground.
Temperatures will rise across the UK on Tuesday afternoon thanks to warmer air from the west, forecasters said.
By midweek, scarves and gloves will be replaced by umbrellas as rain moves across the country, turning the first sprinkles of snow into slush.
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