Brits are bracing for snowfall and a sharp drop in temperatures, which is expected to fall as low as -2C for some on New Year’s Eve.

The Met Office’s long-term forecast suggests that the mild and calm weather of recent days will quickly change as we approach the start of a new year.

Snow will initially fall across northern Scotland before moving further south around 6pm on Monday.

As the evening progresses, the snowfall is expected to become heavier and could begin to move further south into other parts of the UK on Tuesday.

Scotland will also be hit by heavy rainfall and winds, which will also prevail in the north and west of the UK.

Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: “There won’t be much change later this week and even this weekend, but as we approach the new year we could see a general shift towards cooler and wetter conditions.”

“At times it can rain heavily and the chances of snow increase – but it is still too early to say where the snow will fall.”

Meanwhile, walkers and swimmers experienced a gray and mild day with some drizzle in places on Boxing Day.

Conditions on Friday are expected to be “very similar” to Boxing Day, with temperatures around 10C to 13C, accompanied by clouds and patchy drizzle in Wales and southwest England, he continued.

Conditions will be “a little windier and a little wetter” in Scotland over the weekend, with clouds and showers forecast elsewhere.