Weather maps have turned blue and purple as heavy snow is expected to cover parts of England and Scotland next week.

On Thursday 19 December, up to 5cm of snow will cover the ground in and around Newcastle, as well as northern Scotland.

White powder showers and rain showers will continue throughout the day as a 566-mile wall of wintry weather descends on the country, moving in from Eastern Europe.

Accompanying the Arctic blast, a wind chill bringing temperatures of -4°C is forecast as WXCHARTS maps turn an icy shade of blue.

Stretching from Wick in Scotland to Plymouth in Devon, the blast will plunge most parts of the country into a freezing cold at 6pm on December 19.

Later today, snowfall will continue across Lancashire and Yorkshire, where up to 3cm depth of snow can be expected. Aberdeen and Inverness will also see white substances deposited on the ground as 1cm is expected by 9pm.

The majority of southern England, Wales and Northern Ireland will remain dry on Thursday as early morning rainfall eases in the afternoon.

The weather forecaster for England and Wales, the Met Officepredicts a brighter but rainy Thursday for the rest of the country. Strong winds can be expected across the country as colder temperatures sweep across the UK in the run-up to Christmas.

The wall of wintry weather will continue later in the month, as a band of showers move southeast during this period. According to the Met OfficeThe wettest and windiest conditions will remain largely in the north, with episodes of heavy rain sometimes as low pressure systems pass.

Further towards the south of England, although unsettled weather is likely at times, the weather will be drier overall with greater influence from anticyclones.

Snow will continue to fall on higher elevations, although snow showers may temporarily cover lower levels in the north during colder interludes.