The United Kingdom (UK) is set to freeze as bitter polar winds from the Arctic make their way down through Britain in time for December.

The polar winds will sweep away days of rain and bring with them a chillier start to December – around 10C (50F) colder than temperatures recorded at the beginning of the week.

Though, before the cold weather fully hits, the end of November will be dominated by heavy showers.

These showers have already triggered weather warnings for several regions of the UK.

On Wednesday, yellow warnings are in place for south Wales and south west England, as well as the north.

As November comes to a close, the polar winds will push down through the UK from the north and cause widespread overnight chill.

This will make the following mornings dry and bitterly cold.

Met Office meteorologist said that a change is on the way towards the end of the week, when a northerly wind will bring much drier brighter but colder temperatures across the UK.

The below freezing temperatures have forced meteorologists to advise those heading out to festive parties to wrap up warm on Friday night.

Many parts of north-west and the midlands will follow suit into the early hours of Saturday.

For many, the suddenness of the bitter cold may be a relief from the deluges that will lead up to it.