Temperatures are set to hit freezing on Bonfire Night, with widespread frost likely in many parts of the UK.

A polar maritime air mass will bring colder air to Britain and some of the chilliest temperatures of the season so far.

October saw unseasonably warm temperatures but this has now ended.

Friday will see temperatures as low as three degrees in the south.

And on Saturday, when many people will celebrate Bonfire Night, the temperature is likely to hit zero.

London, Norwich, Manchester, Shropshire and Birmingham are all expected to see freezing temperatures and frost, which is likely to reach other areas.

However, revellers may escape the worst of the cold, as it will be most felt late at night and in the early hours.

This is set to continue from Sunday to Monday, with freezing temperatures affecting areas across the country and continuing frost.

From Monday to Tuesday, inland areas, such as Birmingham, will still be affected by the cold, while coastal areas will see temperatures rise by a few degrees.

In pictures: Historic Lewes bonfire night celebrations Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: Historic Lewes bonfire night celebrations In pictures: Historic Lewes bonfire night celebrations lewes-afpgetty-3.jpg Thousands of people attend the parade as Bonfire Societies parade through the narrow streets AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Historic Lewes bonfire night celebrations lewes-afpgetty-4.jpg Until the evening comes to an end with the burning of an effigy AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Historic Lewes bonfire night celebrations Lewes-afpgetty-5.jpg The guy usually represents Guy Fawkes, who died in 1605 after an unsuccessful attempt to blow up The Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Historic Lewes bonfire night celebrations Lewes-afpgetty-10.jpg Bonfire societies parade through the streets during the Bonfire Night celebrations on November 5, 2013 in Lewes, Sussex in England AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Historic Lewes bonfire night celebrations Lewes-afpgetty-1.jpg Bonfire Night is related to the ancient festival of Samhain, the Celtic New Year AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Historic Lewes bonfire night celebrations lewes-afpgetty-2.jpg Processions held across the South of England culminate in Lewes on November 5, commemorating the memory of the seventeen Protestant martyrs AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Historic Lewes bonfire night celebrations Lewes-afpgetty-11.jpg AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Historic Lewes bonfire night celebrations Lewes-afpgetty-12.jpg AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Historic Lewes bonfire night celebrations lewes-garethfullerpa-9.jpg AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Historic Lewes bonfire night celebrations Lewes-afpgetty-8.jpg AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Historic Lewes bonfire night celebrations Lewes-afpgetty-6.jpg AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Historic Lewes bonfire night celebrations Lewes-afpgetty-7.jpg AFP/Getty Images

Meanwhile, the chance of a cold start to winter 2016 has increased by nearly a third, according to the Met Office.

There is also an increased chance of cold snaps between November and December – the month winter officially starts.

“The risk of a cold start to winter has increased to 30 per cent this year,” said Professor Adam Scaife, head of long-range prediction at the Met Office Hadley Centre. “Statistically, however, it is still more likely that the UK will experience a normal start to winter, but there is an increased risk of cold snaps between now and Christmas.”

However, while it is still too early for meteorologists to predict how cold or wet winter will be, an unusual season is not anticipated.

Predictions are made by looking at global trends, such as tropical rainfall, particularly in the Indian Ocean, where conditions have been unusual, and La Niña, the opposing, colder phase of El Niño. While El Niño was very strong and affected weather across the globe, La Niña is considerably weaker.

In addition, meteorologists analyse the behaviour of the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO), the flow of air above the equator, which has also been disrupted in 2016. The Polar Vortex - winds in the arctic stratosphere – are also weakened but can influence UK winters.