UK weather: Met Office issues snow forecast for later this month as temperatures set to plunge to -1C in just weeks

Temperatures are set to plunge to -1C towards the end of the month despite no snow, with freezing conditions battering the UK.

A Met Office spokesman said: "There is currently no indication of snow in the forecast. The long-range forecast becomes clearer closer to the time, and currently suggests there could be settled conditions next week, thanks to high pressure, and possibly more unsettled weather later in the month."

The clarification comes as questions arose about whether the UK might experience similar conditions to those currently affecting eastern European nations.

Thousands have been left without power in Serbia and Bosnia, with trees collapsing under the heavy weight of snowfall.

More than 50 centimetres of snow have already accumulated in elevated regions, and meteorologists suggest these accumulations could break October records.

Within the UK, most areas should prepare for wet and blustery conditions returning later this month, with rainfall and potentially strong winds expected to persist into early November.

The Met Office spokesman recommended: "Keeping an eye on our forecast to stay up to date as October goes on."

As for this weekend, daytime temperatures could be nearing 20C, but may dip to freezing overnight driving foggy, frosty mornings.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: "There is some cooler air coming over the high, and there is the potential for some of this cooler air to cut in, particularly into eastern parts of the country.

"It is quite likely that we will stay under the influence of the high, but there is the potential this weekend for some chillier air to cut in.

"By night, temperatures could get relatively low with a touch of frost in rural spots is definitely not out of the question.

"So, there may perhaps be a chillier feel."

Meteorologists will be watching the next few days for the drift of high pressure and whether it will bring a chilly snap.

Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick said: "High pressure will push its way eastwards into next week, and as it does this, we start to see a change in wind direction.

"But it depends where the high pressure sits, as this will determine the weather and where we see the bulk of the cloud, and we could see some mist, fog and possibly some frost into next week.

"Where we see clear skies, that is where we are going to see temperatures dip away, and there will be some clear skies over the weekend."

Temperatures this weekend in the south will hit 18C where the sun burns through clouds.

An autumn fog will emerge and crisp the ground in the northern and western parts of the UK.