UK weather maps turn purple and show exact date Britain gets first 'big' snow blast

Britain could receive its first blast of snow before the end of the month according to new weather maps.

The snowy arrival is set to hit northern Scotland next Friday September 27 as an arctic weather front makes its way south.

The cold arctic air is expected to see temperatures drop markedly across Scotland after a month characterised by warm weather.

Recently released weather maps by WXCharts.com show that from September 27, nighttime temperatures across Scotland are set to drop to below freezing, providing the perfect conditions for the first substantial drops of snow.

In another map, a large purple patch over the Scottish highlands indicates around 1cm per hour of snow in parts of the country.

The weather front is set to be accompanied by significant wet weather meaning that snow on lower ground is less likely to settle as it is in parts of the country with hillier terrain.

It comes as a rush of Arctic air hits the UK from the north. Temperatures in northern Scotland will hit -1C with the rest of the UK falling into single digit cold figures.

Scotland's annual average snowfall total is 46cm and it is not uncommon for certain parts of the country to experience snow in late September.

Such is the prevalence of snow in the country that there are five ski resorts on high ground such as Cairngorm.

The ski resort has 40km of slopes for all levels of skier, 21 ski lifts and adult day passes are available for just £35. Set in Cairngorms National Park, ski runs extend across four mountains and down three valleys and the resort was deemed the best Britain has to offer by outdoor brand Blacks.

But for the rest of the UK, the sledge and snowman carrots will have to remain where they are for the time being at least.

The weather maps show that for much of the country, the temperatures will remain above freezing, some small relief to pensioners worried about their heating bills following Labour’s removal of the winter fuel payment.

According to the Met Office’s long range forecast, many parts of Scotland will also not notice the snow in the highlands, with most cities experiencing less extreme weather.

The forecast for next week said: “A period of more unsettled, mobile westerly pattern is most likely by midweek and beyond, with spells of wind and rain in many areas, but perhaps interspersed with occasional drier and brighter interludes.