
After one of the warmest autumns on record, the first of the winter weather appears to have set in with parts of the country dropping to below freezing today on the last weekend before December.

Snow will dust parts of the country next week with widespread frost and mist expected throughout the UK following months of balmy conditions and rain.

This autumn is thought to be the third warmest on record in the UK, with the average temperature a mild 10.8C.

The unseasonable warmth is finally at an end however, with cold clouds gathering over Scotland expected to sweep the rest of the country on Monday, marking the beginning of the frosty weather.

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A clear and crisp start was seen in most parts of the country this morning with temperatures plummeting as the first of the winter weather takes hold. Sunrise over water in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, today on the last weekend before December

Dawn in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, where temperatures remained around 8C like most of the country at 6am today. Cooler conditions were seen elsewhere, with parts of Scotland dipping as low as -1C

Pink and purple skies lit up Abingdon, Oxfordshire (pictured), where warmer temperatures gave way to crisper conditions this morning

After one of the warmest autumns on record and heavy rainfall, clear and bright conditions are expected throughout the UK in the first week of December. The sun rises over Canterbury, Kent, this morning, where a light mist fell over the town

Pink and orange skies over Reigate in Surrey this morning. Temperatures could plummet to as low as -3C overnight in rural areas next week

The last of the autumn sunshine this morning in Reigate, Surrey. Dry and cold conditions are due to set in next week across the UK

Temperatures could dip as low as -2 or -3C in rural parts during on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Met Office said today.

This morning the coldest temperature was recorded in Scotland where it was -1.3C in Aviemore.

Much of England and Wales enjoyed a milder night, with minimum temperatures of 7 and 8C across large parts of the country.

Bournemouth and Southampton were warmer still at around 11C at 6am today.

However a large, frosty front will sweep over the country next week after dumping the first of the winter snow in Scotland.

'While all the cloud maintains itself in northern parts, there are outbreaks of showery rain in the north and subsequently the temperatures are more suppressed as it pushes its way south eastwards (over England and Wales), weakening all the while,' said Met Office forecaster Calum MacColl.

'We'll see some mist and fog developing across central and south eastern England where it'll be a dull, dull start tomorrow.

'Some fog may linger while further north it brightens up later. The colder weather won't show its hand until Monday, pushing south eastwards increasing the risk of frost.'

The weekend will be warmer than average for the time of year but temperatures will start to drop towards the December average of 6C from Monday.

Met Office meteorologist, Greg Dewhurst, added: 'We could possibly see a little bit of snow on the highest ground of the Highlands on Monday night from incoming showers.

'Elsewhere, most places will be cold and dry and there will be some mist and fog about too.'

Forecaster Nicola Maxey said: 'On Saturday we are looking at highs of 13C or 14C during the day, which we will see in the south of England. We may possibly even see 15C.

'In Northern Ireland we are looking at highs between 11C and 12C, 9C and 11C in the North East, and similar temperatures in Scotland.

Sunset over the river Thames in London this evening as the cold weather prepares to move across Britain tomorrow night and on Monday

Dusk in Richmond, west London this evening after a day of clear skies and sunshine on one of the final days of autumn

A couple admire the sunset over the River Thames this evening in Richmond Park before the cold weather sets in tomorrow and next week

A child braves the chilly water on Brighton beach today as revellers made the most of the last of the autumn sun with winter on its way

A boy makes the most of the last of the balmy weather in Brighton, paddling in the surf with just his rolled up jeans on

Braving the chill: Two of the Sea Swimmers in Brighton prepare for a morning dip on the beach as the colder weather sets in

A member of the Sea Swimmers on Brighton Beach opted for a wet suit when taking the plunge this morning. Temperatures in the south east are warmer than in other parts of the country with highs of 12C expected

Two women wade in the icy sea before taking a dip this morning on Brighton Beach, making the most of the relatively cool temperatures

Playing it safe: Wrapped up in hats, boots and fur hoods, a couple recline on Brighton Beach seafront to enjoy the autumn sunshine

A couple enjoy a stroll along Brighton Beach this morning as revellers enjoy the last of the balmier, autumn weather on the coast

The beach in Brighton was busy this morning with plenty taking advantage of the clear and sunny conditions before cloud moves over the UK

In Richmond park, west London, walkers took advantage of the clear and bright skies, roaming through the park to enjoy the last of the sun

A cyclist admires the view in Richmond Park in west London this morning. London will be slightly warmer than in rural areas next week

Deer rest in long grass in Richmond Park as walkers enjoy the last of the autumn sunshine in west London before temperatures dip

The last of the autumn leaves fall in Richmond Park, west London. Temperatures will drop to -3C in parts of the country overnight next week

'The average temperature for the UK in November is 9C, so we are still looking at above average temperatures.

'On Sunday we will see a slight drop in temperatures, for example London and the South will be looking at highs of 11C or 12C, and between 10C and 11C in Scotland.

'On Monday we will start to see temperatures drop throughout the UK. The average temperature for December throughout the UK is 6C, so we are still looking at above average temperatures throughout the week, so for instance we are looking at temperatures between 8C and 9C in London on Monday.

'But temperatures will drop slightly throughout the week, moving closer towards the average temperature for the month.

'However, we have an area of high pressure over the UK and we are likely to see nice weather throughout the week. We are looking at periods of sunshine in between the clouds, and we are looking at nice, dry winter days.'

Frost and mist rolled over the Peak District (pictured) yesterday morning where temperatures were cooler than in parts of the south

Highland cows in the Peak District bear the brunt of the frost, which swept in this week, and it's only set to get colder as December approaches

A cyclist crunches over frosty terrain yesterday on his way to work in Nottinghamshire where the first of the winter weather was seen

The average temperature for November is 9C, but this weekend will see temperatures reach a milder 11C to 12C on Saturday across the UK. In Nottinghamshire fields were dusted with a light frost

The cold front will start off in Scotland in early hours and move slowly down, passing South West around midnight, according to forecasters. Mist rose over the River Avon in Malmesbury yesterday morning

The mist rises around Malmesbury Abbey in Wiltshire, which basks in a red light from the rising sun, as colder winter weather creeps in

A misty start for deer in Richmond, south-west London, as they embrace the colder temperatures while the country heads towards winte

Some parts of the country could see snow on Monday night as temperatures drop to December average. Pictured, a foggy start in Cambridge

Cyclists in Cambridge on a foggy November morning, where temperatures were milder than average, making it likely that this month could be one of the warmest November's on record

A couple walk their dog in the park in Cambridge as the fog hangs low. The first half of November also saw slightly higher than usual rainfall

'We do have a weak front that comes over the UK on Monday. It will start off in Scotland in the early hours and move slowly down through the country throughout the day, passing through to the Midlands and then it will reach the South West around midnight.

'But it is only a weak front, so its likely to be light rain we are looking at more than anything else. Other than periods of light rain, it should be fairly clear otherwise.'

'We expect to see 121mm of rain throughout the UK in the whole of November.. But, up until November 16th, we had seen 93mm of rain, which is 77 per cent of the average monthly total.'

The Environment Agency has two flood alerts in place in the south east.

While early statistics from the Met Office have revealed that this autumn is on track to be the third warmest on record for the UK, but rainfall is close to average.

The mean temperature between September 1 and November 25 was 10.8C, which is 1.4C above average, meaning it currently ranks behind 2006 (11.4C) and 2011 (11.3C) in the digital UK records dating back to 1910.

The mild conditions through autumn follow on from a generally warm year overall, with all months except August having seen above average temperatures.

Balmy: Sun-seekers in London's Green Park exactly a month ago as the mercury hit 21C in a glorious blast of Indian summer sunshine

Sitting and lying: Visitors enjoyed the surprisingly warm weather in St James's Park, central London, as they sat among the fallen leaves

Reading the paper: A man and woman at Friars Cliff, near Christchurch in Dorset, at the end of October as temperatures were balmy