Get ready for first blast of Arctic snow and ice

FORECASTERS are warning people in the north and north-east to prepare for snow as icy winds sweep in from the Arctic this week.

Warm autumnal weather will give way to winter before Halloween has even arrived – with sub-zero temperatures expected by Thursday.

Before that, Scotland may also be hit by another meteorological phenomenon known as “blood rain”, which could blow dust from a giant Saharan Desert cloud and leave red-tinged sand stains on cars and homes today.

Yesterday, the Met Office’s duty forecaster Peter Sloss warned of a dramatic change in the weather and urged people to wrap up tight.

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