CRANK the heating up tonight as Scotland is set to be colder than Arctic Russia this week.

In the early hours of Monday, temperatures of minus 7C are forecast in parts of the country during the early hours of Monday.

This chilly weather will continue across the UK until Wednesday until it gradually turns milder from the south, according to experts.

However for Scotland snow is forecast over the hills and even to lower ground.

This comes as bitter northerly winds crept across Britain which set off a sudden fall in temperature.

Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: "Rain will spread in from the west on Monday and further north showers will be wintry and we could see temporary covering of snow.

"It will be windy with gales locally in the north and through the week further systems will come in from the Atlantic bringing wet and windy weather to the region while the south is drier."

According to forecasters winter weather is likely to set in earlier than usual this year, taking hold at the end of this month.

It is believed that this season could be the coldest for five years and experts predict that we could have a White Christmas.