UK forecast – Up to 9ins of snow to hit this week with sleet as far south as London as Brits shiver in -7C Arctic plunge

NINE inches of snow will fall within just days – and Brits are set to shiver amid a -7C Arctic blast that will go on until December.

The mercury will plummet “significantly” by Thursday, with no respite from the chill until at least the beginning of next month.

Brits are set to shiver as an Arctic blast blows in next week

And people as far south as the West Midlands might see snow in the days to come

It’s been a balmy November so far – but that’s coming to an end

Snow has already arrived in the Highlands, and forecasters predict that a whopping 24cm of the white stuff – 9.4in – will fall next week.

However, the polar plunge will also force the chill downwards in the coming days – and even those in London could see a dusting.

By Friday, forecasters at WX Charts say people living as far south at the West Midlands may be hit by up to six centimetres.

There’s a 70 per cent chance of powder in Birmingham by the weekend.

Those in the north, including people living in Manchester and York, can also expect to see snow by the end of next week.

And people living in Wales could get 10cm drifts.

BRITS SET TO SHIVER

It means winter is well and truly on the way after an unusually balmy autumn.

James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, told the Express: “Cold conditions in the coming days will pave the way for a number of widespread snow events from the last week of November into the start of December.

“During this period, it is going to turn markedly colder, and with a drop in solar activity, we are looking at a potential mini ice age winter.”

Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: “I couldn’t imagine a better weather pattern for cold weather fans, with forecast models showing a northerly straight from the Arctic next week.

“It turns much colder from the north later in the weekend. From Sunday, rain is likely in the north, with some snow across higher ground, possibly reaching low levels at times.

“Further south looks to have fewer showers, but with a slight chance of wintry weather, and chilly nights with frost in places.”

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His colleague Alex Deakin has also warned of snow from the middle of next week.

He said there could be a very cold spell from Thursday that would bring “significant wintry weather”.

“Snow would be likely at relatively low levels across the northern half of the UK,” he said.

However, there are fears the sudden dip in temperature could cause chaos for commuters – because the UK is facing a shortage of HGV drivers to spread salt.

Highways chiefs are scrambling to recruit more drivers to keep motorists safe as officials warn major gritting routes could be axed.

Meanwhile, in a worrying double whammy, there’s less grit in stock than in previous winters.

Transport bosses in Scotland – where snow usually falls earliest and thickest – say there’s 30,000 fewer tonnes of salt in stock than last year.

The Local Government Association has warned there could be trouble ahead for commuters as the cold begins to bite this weekend.

Councillor David Renard said: “Some councils may find gritting services are affected in the same way some waste collection services have been impacted.”

There’ll be plenty of frost on the ground during late nights and mornings next week

And the mercury will plunge below zero in some parts of Scotland

WX ChartsForecasters say there’ll be snow in the north of England by Friday[/caption]