The dreaded 'Beast from the East' could return this winter as snow looks likely to come in time for Christmas, according to weather forecasters.
Signs of cold weather drivers emerging over Russia appear to have strengthened in recent weeks, says meteorologist Jim Dale from British Weather Services, increasing the chance of a cold snap in December.
High pressure over Europe is expected to move towards Britain around the start of the month, pulling winds in from the east.
This development will mark the 'transition zone' into a period of prolonged cold weather, he says, which could last through the festive season.
While the Met Office say their long-range models suggest we will be in for " mild weather" this winter , independent forecasters have touted the possibility of festive snow.
Giving his long-range forecast, Mr Dale said: "Pressure will start to rise towards the end of the month and into the start of December, holding back the Atlantic and marking the transition zone.
"We are then in a bit of a no man's land, with a few frosts, a few fogs, but nothing major.
"Then high pressure comes in for the start of December, and this is when we are expecting it to start building over the UK, with the first freezing plunge going into Europe and then, if it comes off, bringing easterlies into the UK.
"The Beast has opened its eyes, and the signals are still there for a possible easterly Beast from the East early blast of winter during the first half of December."
James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, said the prospect for a white Christmas is currently "high" - although admitted this was "something that we need to keep an eye on for nearer the time."
In the meantime, he said we should expect "more wind and rain" while temperatures continue to fall towards something closer to the seasonal norm.
High street bookies Ladbrokes have meanwhile slashed odds on a White Christmas anywhere in the UK to 6-4, with Edinburgh the most likely major city to see flakes at 4-1.
Spokesman Alex Apati said: "Christmas is just a month away, and the latest odds suggest we could well be set to see snow."
UK weather forecast:
Settling down with some fog and overnight frost
Today:
Scattered showers will continue to affect southern and western areas, although they will tend to fade in the west this afternoon. Patchy fog in the east, stubborn to clear in places. Elsewhere, dry with sunny spells.
Tonight:
Fog and low cloud developing more widely overnight with some dense fog in a few places. Where it does remain clearer, a frost developing.
Tuesday:
Areas of fog and low cloud only very slowly lifting and in some places persisting all day. Some bright or sunny spells, most likely in the north and west.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:
Mostly dry on Wednesday with fog slow to clear in places. Likely becoming cloudier from Thursday, with the east seeing showers. Also becoming windier by Friday. Feeling cold.
