The UK is bracing for an avalanche of snow in the coming weeks. Parts of the country, from the Scottish Highlands to London, can expect to be affected.

New maps from WXCHARTS have revealed the exact day the impending snow is expected to arrive.

On December 17, just two weeks from now, wintry conditions will appear across the country, with up to three cm/h of snow in some areas.

Very localized snow and areas of rain will move across the UK in the morning from 6am until midday, easing as the day progresses.

People will wake up to harsh winter conditions whether they live in the north or south, although Scotland will be worst hit by the severe weather.

In the Highlands, which extend beyond Inverness and west towards Ben Nevis, between 0.2 and 3 cm/h of snow is expected. However, cities like Edinburgh and Aberdeen are expected to escape unscathed.

In England, Northumberland, Cumberland, Manchester and Birmingham will receive light dust of between 0.1 and 2 cm/h.

However, the snow will also extend further southwards, reaching areas that are not usually affected. At 6am, Somerset, just north of London, is expected to see up to 1cm/h.

Throughout the day, the bad weather seems to be moving towards the west. According to maps, by midday on December 17, Newcastle, Lincolnshire, Kent and London will have seen snow.

These areas are expected to reach between 0.2 and 1.5 cm/h before the snow progresses.

Separately, the Met Office long-term forecast for the period December 16-30 reads: “At first, high pressures are likely to be dominant, particularly in the south, with conditions relatively stable overall. Frontal systems may still affect the north and northwest of the UK at times.

“During the first few days of this period, however, a change to more unsettled conditions appears likely for some time, leading to a greater prevalence of rain and showers in most areas, but especially in the northwest .

“Some showers could be wintry, particularly over higher ground. Later in the month there are signals that higher pressures could return, with more stable conditions likely to develop, particularly in the south.

“Temperatures are expected to be around average overall, with colder interludes bringing frost and fog.”