Snow warning from Met Office

That's the warning from Met Office weather forecasters today who say a cold snap is on the way.

Last week bookmakers Paddy Power said there was a 7/1 chance of Oxford having snow fall in the city on Christmas Day.

This afternoon Met Office forecasters said colder conditions will soon be spreading southwards across the UK.

Read again: Laurence Fox has lockdown lunch with group of friends

Frosts, hail and sleet, are expected particularly from mid-week onwards. 

Snow is expected to settle over higher ground in the northern half of the UK, which may cause travel difficulties for some. 

At lower levels and further south, any snow is expected to be more transient in nature.

Steve Ramsdale, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “Although we’re going to see a few days with colder conditions, we shouldn’t be surprised that the start of winter brings a brief spell of wintry weather.

"Some parts of the UK, especially northern hills, may see snow, but for many this will only be short lived. We’ll be monitoring the forecast and we will issue warnings accordingly.”

Read more: Brookes graduate makes film in 11 days 

Colder, unsettled conditions are expected to spread to the entire UK on Thursday with frequent showers, areas of heavy rain and some hill snow.

There is also the chance of some snow to lower levels in places later in the week though away from hills it is currently uncertain exactly where snow will fall. 

Read more: Gym forced to close due to coronavirus 

In the clear periods between bands of wintry showers, frosts are likely and these could be sharp or even severe in prolonged clear conditions in north-western parts of the UK.

These unsettled conditions are likely to persist into the weekend with further periods of strong winds, heavy rain and wintry showers. How long the rather cold conditions persists is currently uncertain, but looks likely to continue into early next week.