A giant arctic blast is forecast to blanket the country in snow by Friday as winter weather settles in this week, according to forecasters.

Britons have been warned to prepare for snow and wrap up warm as cold air from Europe heads over to the UK.

Temperatures in London are expected to drop to minus figures by Saturday, according to the Met Office .

A spokesman from the Met Office said: "Colder and drier conditions are predicted for London.

Londoners have been advised to brace themselves for snow

"Residual rain across eastern areas will soon clear away, then most places will be dry and becoming chilly with clear spells.

"Most days will start chilly and dry."

Turnham Green, Chiswick blanketed in snow

The frosty spell comes as the deaths of 20 people across the continent have been blamed on the big freeze.

January last year also saw a giant arctic mass swirl towards the city , although the capital also saw spells of snow as late as April.

Bizarre: London saw snowfall in April rather than Spring showers

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