Scotland braced for first big winter chill

ARCTIC blasts will sweep the country this week, bringing up to 8in (20cm) of snow as winter tightens its grip for the season's first big chill.

Bitterly cold weather is forecast across Britain with temperature lows of minus 9C (15.8F) in northern Scotland while maximum temperatures in Edinburgh are unlikely to rise above 2C (36F).

Many regions have been warned to expect snow flurries. Low temperatures are set to last into next week, but the biting conditions could abate later in the season.

Aisling Creevey, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said overnight temperatures would remain below freezing this week, hitting their lowest at the weekend. She added: "A northerly wind will bring wintery showers and snow, particularly to Scotland and coastal areas of England."