Britain is hit by SNOW: First flurries fall as map shows where Scandinavian chill will bring Arctic blast this week with temperatures dropping to -8C

Parts of Britain were hit by the first snow of autumn today as a cold weather system from Scandinavia sweeps in and temperatures plunge to as low as -8C. This system could meet colder air and create rain over southern England and Wales which the Met Office said could turn to 'significant snowfall' over higher ground. The first snow of autumn arrives on a rural road at Killhope in County Durham this morning Preparations at the Lecht Ski Centre today, an alpine ski area in the Cairngorms in Scotland The Met Office has warned of possible 'significant snowfall' in parts of Britain this week Wetter and windier than average conditions are said to be 'slightly more likely than normal' and temperatures are 'most likely to be near or above average overall', but this 'doesn't rule out some spells of cold weather and associated wintry hazards'. Cars driving in the snow near the Lecht Ski Centre on the Lecht Road in the Highlands today The first snow showers of autumn arrive in County Durham this morning at Killhope Wintry conditions for morning commuters at Killhope in County Durham this morning Tourists under umbrellas as they go punting in the rain on the River Cam in Cambridge today People in Cambridge on a cold and wet Monday today as chilly weather hits the country Tourists under umbrellas as they go punting in the rain on the River Cam in Cambridge today It will be a widely frosty evening tomorrow night, with temperatures generally around -2C to -5C and possibly as low as -8C in the far north of England and rural Scotland. Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Harris said: 'Some rain, or showers, are likely to affect some parts of the east coast, and these could turn increasingly wintry over higher ground areas towards the middle of the week.