Brits braced for -8C cold snap which will see temperatures plummet as bookies slash odds on coldest night of the year
BOOKIES are tipping this week to bring the coldest night of the year so far, as Brits are warned by weather experts that temperatures could dip to as low as -8C.
Thursday marks the beginning of Winter, but conditions are set to plummet even before Autumn draws to a close.
The week across the United Kingdom is set to be sunny during the days, apart from in Northern Ireland and north west Scotland where clouds will linger.
However that won't stop temperatures from lowering to 7C in northern England, 10C in the South, 6C in Wales, 5C in Scotland and 8C in Northern Ireland throughout today.
But the evenings are when conditions are set to become harsh - starting tonight.
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Most of England is set to see temperatures fall to -4C tonight, and -6C in the South.
Northern Ireland and Scotland will fare slightly better with lows of 2C or 3C.
Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst said: "Tonight will be cold with almost a repeat performance for temperatures on Tuesday.
"There's an area of high pressure that has developed across most of the UK over the weekend and that is due to stick around for the rest of the week.
"That will move southwards, so it will not be as cold in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
"Most places will stay dry until the weekend when there will be a slight risk of rain."
Ladbrokes have now slashed the odds on the UK seeing temperatures fall below -10C before next Sunday, offering 2/1.
If this happens, it would make temperatures the coldest of 2016.
Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes said: "Winter's coming, and the odds are falling as quick as the temperature's dropping, leaving punters already dreaming of a White Christmas."
Experts believe temperatures could dip below -8C by the end of the week and the Met Office is warning of frosts.
And with the cold weather arriving this week, speculation is already mounting on whether we will see a White Christmas.
Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow are 2/1 to see a White Christmas this year, with Newcastle at 3/1, London at 4/1, Liverpool at 5/1 and Manchester at 6/1.
December 1 marks the beginning of meteorological winter, which lasts until February 1.
